UNIVERST EY of LLINGIS: 


BULLETIN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA 


Bulletin No, 3 vias x Biological Series No. 3 


Summer Birds of Flathead Lake 


Pp, M. SILLOWAY, 


PRINCIPAL, FERGUS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL, AUTHOR OF 
SOME COMMON BIRDS. 


PREPARED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA BIOLOGICAL 
STATION, UNDER DIRECTION OF 


MORTON J. ELROD. 


UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA 
1901 


BULLETIN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA 


Bulletin No. J Biological Series No. J 


Summer Birds of Flathead Lake 


P. M. SILLOWAY 


RRICh aw ige 


UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA 
1901 


Summer Birds of Flathead Dake 


P.M. SILLOWAY. 


Notes based upon observations made between June 14 and 
August 30, 1900. From June 14 to July 6, observations were 
made from the University of Montana Biological Station at 
the head of Flathead Lake as a center; from July 9 to July 
18, at Sin-yale-a-min Lake, Mission Mountains; from July 19 
to July 27, at McDonald Lake, Mission Mountains; from 
July 28 to August 8, in the region between the foot of Mt. 
McDonald and the foot of Flathead Lake; during the re- 
mainder of the period stated, the Biological Station was again 
the center of operations. 

Additional observations were made in June and July, 1901, 
which have been recorded in the appropriate /laces. 

Prepared under direction of the University of Montana 

- Biological Station. 


SIN-YALE-A-MIN LAKE. 


Sin-yale-a-min Lake hes in a depression of the Mission 
~ Mountains at an elevation of 3900 feet. The depression is 
*= probably the result of glacial action, in which the bed of the 
lake was scooped out by the moving ice-mass, the trend being 
S nearly from east to west. The western end of the depression 
=is blocked by what seems to be a terminal moraine, through 
= which the outlet of the lake makes its way. The lake is fed 

by a stream which comes dashing down a gorge on the north- 
east, the descent being so steep about a quarter of a mile from 
the lake that there is a succession of beautiful falls extending 
over several hundred feet. Between the lake and the falls the 
stream is thickly bordered by massive arbor vitae, whose nu- 
merous standing trunks and accompanying fallen growth form 
an almost impassable jungle. However, a trail can be followed 
from the lake to the falls with no great difficulty. Along this 
stream the cheerful chant of the winter wren can be heard, 
and in the leaping spray of the falls the American dipper 
loves to play. 


1084t 


Tc ier 


North of the lake, rising quite abruptly from the water’s 
edge, lies the first of a series of ridges which culminate in 
Sin-yale-a-min Mountain, whose bald head and snow-clad shoul- 
ders can be seen very clearly from the outlet of the lake. 
Between the lake and the summit of Sin-yale-a-min 
Peak, whose altitude is approximately 9200 feet, there 
rises nearly three miles of wooded mountain-side, the 
home of Clarke’s nutcracker and Richardson’s grouse, 
with other birds of Alpine habitat. As on the north, the 
southern shore of the lake is the foot of a high, wooded ridge, 
where the Rocky Mountain jay and black-headed jay flit among 
the trees, and the ruffed grouse hides in the fir thickets. 

Following an easy trail leading somewhat southeast. from 
the lake, the collector passes through a wide ravine for about 
a mile, and reaches a small lake or pond a few acres in extent, 
surrounded by a woodland free from undergrowth. Here tall 
handsome yellow pines (pinus ponderosa) abound, in whose tops 
are seen occasional flocks of chirping crossbills, lisping cedar 
waxwings, and other inhabitants of the woods. 

West of the lake there les an extensive region of lower 
primeval woodland alternating with bushy hillside, through 
which the outlet of the lake dashes on its course to the prairie 
region of the Flathead Indian Reservation, all forming an 
ideal collecting ground, certain to repay the careful attention 
of the ornithologist. 


McDONALD LAKE. 


McDonald Lake is at somewhat lower elevation than Sin- 
yale-a-min Lake, being about 3,300 feet altitude. In area 
it is not nearly so large, as its length measures only rather 
more than half that of Sin-yale-a-min, and its width about 
the same ratio in measurement. In our estimates we placed 
the length of Sin-yale-a-min at 7,000 feet, and its width at 
2,200 feet. Neither is McDonald Lake as deep as Sin-yale-a-min 
Lake, the general depth of the former being about 70 feet — 
while the deepest place in the latter is 250 feet. 

McDonald Lake is evidently the bed of an ancient glacier, 
whose resistless action can be traced by fine chisellings on 
the sides of the jutting rocks along the lake shore. The lake 
is fed by a smal] stream which hurries down between Mt. Mc- 
Donald and an adjacent mountain. Along its eastern shore the 
lake is overhung by a rugged, picturesque cliff, rising sheer 


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two thousand feet or more, from whose crevices leap several 
miniature waterfalls like threads of spray. Along this impend- 
ing cliff hawks and ravens rear their young on shelving crags, 
and the towering walls give back their harsh cries. 

From the southern shore of the lake Mt. McDonald rises 
abruptly, stretching southward in craggy outline and snow-clad 
sides until it towers majestically into the clouds, the monarch 
of the Mission range. 

Owing to the precipitous margins of McDonald Lake, col- 
lecting was attended with unusual difficulty and hardship. A 
specimen only a thousand feet away up the mountain side 
could be secured only by most arduous climbing, and even 
then was likely to take its departure to a more inaccessible 
station higher up the slope before the collector was within 
gunshot. Unidentified Raptores circled near the top of the 
cliff in perfect disregard of futile efforts to secure them. Once 
a Townsend’s solitaire was shot, and it fell five hundred feet 
down the cliff, entailing a half hour’s work to recover it and 
regain the lost ground. However, to the northward of the 
lake we found more accessible ground, in the heavy woods 
through which the outlet of the lake threaded its way, and 
forty-seven species was the result of our notes at this station. 


FROM MT. McDONALD TO FLATHEAD LAKE. 


From Lake McDonald, imprisoned at the base of Mt. Mc- 
Donald by a small moraine, the descent to the general level 
of the Reservation is rapid and easy, the difference being more 
than a thousand feet. Within a mile of the lake the variation 
in the avifauna is noticeable. 

Between the base of the mountains and Flathead Lake, there 
is a treeless valley, except such dwarf and _ water-loving 
trees as are found along most of the Montana water-courses. 
Scattered here and there over the plain, sometimes no farther 
than a hundred yards apart, again separated by a mile or more, 
are curious formations, depressions containing pools of stag- 
nant water, often fringed by a growth of flags or coarse grass. 
Most of these depressions become dry as the season advances, 
though the larger ones retain a supply of water until the fall 
or winter storms fill them and change the neighborhood into 
spreading marsh. These pools attract the resident and migrant 
shore and water birds, and offer a valuable collecting ground 
for the ornithologist. The surrounding plain is inhabited by 


nw sae 


the regular residents of the open prairies, such as the long- 
billed curlew, western meadow lark, and species of similar 
habits. 

Traversing the open prairie of the Flathead Reservation are 
several narrow, rapidly-coursing streams. These creeks are 
generally fringed by a thin growth of shrubbery, with occas- 
ional trees. At our camp on Crow Creek there were a few pines 
of large dimensions, in striking contrast to the dwarf willows 
and haw tree and other similar vegetation. Near the streams 
the birds occur much more numerously than upon the barren 
stretches at either side. There we found the catbird crooning 
its lullaby to its helpless younglings in the bushes; the yellow 
warbler and American redstart flitted among the foliage of the 
smaller trees; the kingfisher plied his art beside the stream; 
the song sparrow and the western yellow-throat frequented the 
low coverts along the water’s edge. One of the delights of our 
stay at the Crow Creek camp was the wealth of avian melody 
which flooded our ears in the early morning hours. It is doubt- 
ful whether any other place could vie with this spot in the 
number of bird musicians in so limited an area. 

The Biological Station of the Montana State University, 
which served as the center of operations, is situated near the 
mouth of Swan River, or Big Fork, as the stream is popularly 
called by neighboring residents. To the west of the Station 
building is the beautiful land-locked harbor, where the boats 
are kept. At the right of the mouth of Swan River lies an 
extensive low area, thickly set with tall, slender willows, sturdy 
aspens, stately cottonwoods, pliant birches, and trees of similar 
nature ,margined landward by remnants of the primeval ever- 
green forest. This swampy area is annually overflowed by the 
rising waters of the lake, and throughout the summer patches 
of stagnant water obstruct the passage of the adventurous col- 
lector. Among the dense willows the twilight gloom of the 
forest ever prevails, yet such uninviting surroundings form 
an ideal home for the vireos, American redstart, olive-backed and 
willow thrushes, yellow warbler, and other denizens of the 
wooded swamps. A generous portion of this region shows the 
effect of the rancher’s axe, in the extensive growth of bushes and 
young evergreens that have quickly sprung up to hide the rava- 
ges of the lumberman; here are seen and heard the beautiful ev- 
ening and black-headed grosbeaks, the energetic Wright’s and 
Traill’s flycatchers, the gamesome ruffed grouse, and numerous 
frequenters of the bush. 

Up the river from the Station are bushy and wooded pas- 


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tures. In the tops of the lofty pines growing there, flit merry 
troops of pine siskins, and animated Audubon’s warblers; 
Louisiana tanagers flash among the foliage, and utter their 
charming carols; rufous and calliope hummers visit the clus- 
tering honeysuckles; Macgillivray’s warblers and lazuli bunt- 
ings chant among the lower shrubbery; Lewis’s and other wood- 
peckers forage from the tree-trunks; and as the ornithologist 
climbs the rocky crests of the foot-hills beyond, he enters the 
summer home of the junco and Richardson’s grouse. 

Across the river from the Station, east of the mouth of 
the dashing current, are the Kalispell Club grounds, situated 
at the terminus of the Mission Mountains, and enclosed by 
extensive areas of the primeval forest. In these wooded regions 
the resounding.tappings of the lordly pileated woodpeckers pro- 
claim their presence; the milder though sturdy strokes of 
the three-toed woodpeckers can be heard; troops of capricious 
crossbills give animation ‘to the highest foliage; the western 
wood pewee calls querulously from his bare perch in some 
lightning-slain forest monarch; here representatives of the 
warblers, the thrushes, the vireos, the hummingbirds, the 
tanagers, and indeed, of all the feathered residents of the region, 
find ample shelter and food, and consequently their days are 
spent in melody and animation. 

The lake itself is worthy of separate mention, as a field for 
the attention of the ornithologist. Over its clear depth the 
American ospreys wheel and soar, ever and anon uttering their 
shrill whistles, and dipping into the water for their finny prey. 
Along its occasional sandy beaches flit the interesting sand- 
pipers, and over its wooded shores flap the unsocial ravens. 
In suitable hollow tree-trunks families of golden-eyes are 
reared, perhaps under the shadow of the platform occupied 
by the osprey, a landmark for the adjacent shore. In the 
willows of the submerged margins noisy kingbirds rear their 
broods, and on projecting branches of deadened timber king- 
fishers sit watching for their prey. 

In the vicinity of the Station there are several centers of 
avian activity which well repay the investigations of the bird 
student. Along the road leading southward from the river 
bridge, lies a small vale enclosing a stagnant pond called 
Daphnia Pond on account of the large numbers of daphnia 
pulex in it, among whose fringing rushes the western yellow- 
throat, the mountain song sparrow, the sora, red-winged black- 
bird, catbird, and other species find convenient retreat. To the 
eastward of the road and pond lie several rocky crests and 


eae 


ravines, well covered with bushy vegetation, harboring many 
excellent “finds” attractive to the oologist. Continuing along: 
the road to the southward, the collector finds a beautiful 
pond encircled by unbroken forest. This sheet of water is 
known. as Estey’s Pond, and along its wooded borders the birds 
sing and thrive. In the darkened woodlands western 
horned owls pass the day in meditative silence; over the open 
area tree swallows ply to and fro in quest of hovering insects. 
Golden-shafted flickers tenant the decayed boles of the over- 
flowed margins; indeed, on every hand are seen signs of avian 
activity, and the air is vibrant with wildwood melody. 

It is scarcely necessary to add that the abundance of food 
throughout the region under consideration is a predominating 
factor in the presence and distribution of the recorded bird- 
life. The damp and decaying vegetation of the swampy area 
at the mouth of the river teems with such insect food as is most 
attractive to the warblers and vireos. The cleared and burnt 
patches abound with wild gooseberries, haws, elder, strawberries, 
raspberries, and the foods which are favorites of the chiefly 
frugivorous species. ‘The lake shore and the hillsides are clad 
with wild honeysuckle, or snowberry, among which dart hum- 
mingbirds on whirring wings; and in the waste spots of bushy 
areas stand the giant hyssop and other seed-producing plants, 
a ready larder for the pine siskins, sparrows, and related 
Fringilline species. In few localities has Mother Nature pro- 
vided so liberally for her wildwood children, and the region 
is accordingly populous both in number of species and in in- 
dividuals. 


ological Totes from flathead Lake 


The following notes are based upon observations beginning 
June 14, 1900, and ending July 5, a period when many of the 
regular nesting birds of the region had concluded their nidifica- 
tion and family-rearing for the season; hence it will be under- 
stood that the notes are far from complete as a list of the 
birds breeding near the head of the extensive lake where the 
observations were made. Furthermore, the unusually early op- 
ening of the vernal season rendered the period mentioned cor- 
respondingly late for full records upon nidification; and it is 
but justice to the collector to state that in no case was any 
effort made to examine the tops of tall trees, with which the 
region under consideration abounds, and which were tenanted 
by many families of birds. 


WESTERN ROBIN, Merula migratoria propinqua Ridgw. 


The western robin is one of the representative breeding birds 
of the Flathead region. Though this species begins nidification 
quite early in the season, its habit of rearing more than one 
brood prolongs its family cares into the nesting period of many 
of the later breeders; consequently nests were found through- 
out June, containing eggs in various stages of advancement in 
incubation. The site is usually low, generally ranging between 
six and ten feet from the ground, and most frequently situ- 
ated in an upright crotch. The foundation of the nest is com- 
monly made of fine leaves or coarse grasses, upon which are 
constructed the mud walls characteristic of the robin and some 
of the other thrushes. The cavity ranges between three and 
four inches in diameter, and is generally less than two inches 
deep, being warmly bedded with soft dried grass, the upper rim 
of the walls being usually bare within. Four eggs, of a green- 
ish-blue color, constitute the usual complement. Haw trees 
are selected most frequently for the location of the nests. 


A 9g eel 


OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH, TYurdus ustulatus swainsoni 
(Cab.) 


In number of individuals, in the frequency of its melody, 
and in its adaptation to the sombre surroundings of the lake 
region, the olive-backed thrush is the typical breeding species 
of the lake shore. Belonging to a more northern habitat, it 
has been attracted by the evident conveniences of our Mon- 
tana summer resort, and great numbers of representatives of 
the species rear their families in the firs and other trees of the 
Station neighborhood. Unlike most of the recorded breeding 
species, however, it was only entering the period of nidifica- 
tion at the time of these observations, the nests found during 
the first few days being either recently completed and not yet 
occupied, or having only the beginning of the regular comple- 
ments. 

The opening of the nesting season for this species seems to 
be quite uniform in the Flathead region, for nests examined the 
same day showed remarkably equal progress in development 
with others. Most of the nests found on June 14 and 15 con- 
tained either one or two eggs, or else gave evidence of having 
been just completed and not yet regularly occupied. It was 
not until June 17 that a nest was examined containing a full 
complement. 

The olive-backed thrush is one of the low builders. Of 
twenty nests, none was over ten feet from the ground; two of 
the twenty were placed at the foregoing limit, two were nine 
feet from the ground, three at eight feet, three at seven feet. 
four at about six feet, and the remainder three and one-fourth 
feet and six feet from the ground. The average site is a trifle 
over six and one-half feet from the ground. Distances were 
carefully measured with a two-foot rule. 

The favored site of nests in fir trees was against the main 
stem, at the base of one or more horizontal branches, and at a 
point about three-fourths the height of the tree. In one in- 
stance the nest was placed on a horizontal branch of a fir 
tree about two feet from the main stem, at a place probably 
measuring two-thirds the length of the branch from the trunk. 
The nest nearest the ground was found in a triple crotch of 
willow growing upright in a slender sprout. Another nest 
was found made in an upright crotch of an oblique portion of a 
dead, bent sapling bare of leaves. A syringa bush growing 
beside a path where anglers were frequently passing was chosen 
in one instance, and the nest placed in an upright crotch among 


Abe oS ee 


nearly perpendicular stems. In another instance the chosen 
site was in a larger fir, about ten feet from the ground, on a 
horizontal branch four feet from the trunk. 

The nest generally measures from three to three and one- 
half inches in height, and about four inches in diameter, out- 
side measurements, though the structure is somewhat elliptical 
in outline. he cavity averages two and three-fourths inches 
by two and one-fourth inches, major and minor axes, and more 
than one and one-half inches in depth. It is founded on loose 
coarse grasses, the walls being made of dried grasses, green 
lichens, and fine weed-stems. The lining is generally fine 
grass, horsehair, and scanty amount of moss. Frequently a 
nest is found having fine bark as part of the wall materials, 
and occasional nests are noted without moss or lichen either 
in walls or lining. 

The eggs of this thrush present noticeable variations in their 
markings. The ground color is a light greenish-blue, which 
in some eggs seems to be quite pale because of the lack of 
other marks. In other eggs the ground color is almost ob- 
scured by the number and size of the blotches of pale reddish 
brown. On some eggs the marks are mere specks; on others the 
markings are bold blotches of color. The distribution of the 
marks is very irregular, there being no uniformity in this re- 
spect. 

The nest complement may be either four or three eggs. Of 
seventeen nests examined containing full sets, ten contained 
four eggs and the remainder contained three; hence it seems 
that in this region nests with four eggs are found more fre- 
quently among first sets than with only three. 

The open habits in nidification of the olive-backed thrush are 
seemingly at variance with its shy, secretive disposition. In 
many instances the nests were quite unconcealed, being con- 
structed in exposed crotches beside paths and roads, almost 
within reach of the passing traveler. Furthermore, the sit- 
ting bird will linger with her charge until the disturber has 
approached to less than arm’s length. Having flitted from 
the nest, however, the bird will disappear in the shrubbery 
and remain hidden in silence, though sometimes she manifests 
her uneasiness by chirping mournfully from her covert. 

Nests of this thrush were found in all the localities men- 
tioned in the opening paragraphs of this paper. The favored 
localities, however, appeared to be the swampy area at the 
right of the mouth of Swan River, and the wooded, bushy 
lot across the road from the Station grounds. It is 


probable that extended examination of the woods around 
Estey’s Pond, and the woods between it and the Station, would 
show numbers of these birds as making their habitations in 
the places suggested. A nest with full complement of eggs is 
shown in Plate III. figure 1. 


WILLOW THRUSH, Turdus fuscescens salicicola (Ridgw.) 


It appears that the willow thrush is not abundant in 
the Flathead region during the nesting season. One nest 
was taken, but diligent search in the vicinity of the site, and in 
favorable localities failed to reveal another nest, or even another 
specimen of this subspecies. 

The nest was found on the morning of June 29. It was sit- 
uated among the stems of a clump of willow saplings, and its 
exposed position indicated that there had been little or no in- 
stinct of concealment in the selection of the site. The sitting 
bird was startled from the nest, though not until the observer 
was within six feet of her. As there were then only three 
eggs in the nest, and the full complement was extremely de- 
sirable, the nest was left undisturbed. The female mean- 
while, had flitted to adjacent shrubbery, and occasionally ap- 
peared momentarily to take a look at the movements 
of her disturber, quickly flitting back from sight. 

Visiting the place on the next morning, June 30, I found 
the nest as I had left it on the preceding day, with only its 
three eggs. The female at this time was less disposed to show 
herself beyond the covert, but at length I was able to secure her 
for positive identification. 

The nest was built upon the ground, being exposed on all 
sides for its full height, which was three and one-half inches 
in situ. It was founded on coarse grass stems, which also 
formed an external wall for most of its height. The main walls 
are constructed of strips of fibrous bark, weed-stems, and por- 
tions of delicate dried leaves. The fabric is lined with soft 
bark and fine grasses, all of a dark brownish color. The rim 
cavity is elliptical, its axes being two and three-fourths inches 
and two and three-eighths inches. The cavity is two inches 
deep. The three eggs were far advanced in incubation. One of 
the eggs is greenish blue, unmarked; the others have faint 
specks of pale brownish color, barely definable, upon the green- 
ish blue ground. 

The nest of the willow thrush was taken in the bushy re- 


—1I3— 


gion of the swampy area at the right of Swan River. The 
location seems ideal for this swamp-loving songster to be 
found commonly, and it is likely that other nests were in the 
field of examination, but were overlooked because of the ex- 
tensive area and the limited time of the observer. 


CATBIRD, Galeoscoptes carolinensis (Linn.) 


Though not abundant, the catbird is regularly seen and 
heard in the Flathead region in the vicinity of the Station. 
Several pairs inhabited the shrubbery about Daphnia Pond along 
the road leading southward from Swan River bridge, as well 
as the bushy woods about the Kalispell Club grounds, nests 
being noted in both these localities. On July 2, a nest of the 
catbird was found on the Club grounds. It contained four 
fresh eggs. Owing to the extensive distribution of this song- 
ster and its mellenoait: characteristics, no notes were made 
regarding it beyond its presence as a summer resident. 


AMERICAN REDSTART, Setophaga ruticilla (Linn.) 


The American redstart was noted in abundance as a resi- 
dent of the swampy area ‘at the right of the mouth of Swan 
River. So suitably adapted to the needs of this lively warbler 
is the willow bottom mentioned, that there the redstart ap- 
peared to be the most common warbler. Its ringing song 
might be heard throughout the long spring days, and the flash 
of its red and yellow might be seen as it fluttered here and 
there in quest of its insect fare. Wherever willow or haw 
thickets were found the redstart was certain to manifest 
its presence by its cheerful ditty or its restless movements 
among the vegetation in plying its vocation as a fly-catching 
warbler. 

The first nest noted was taken on June 28. The nest com- 
plement was four eggs, far advanced in incubation. On that 
date, four other nests of this warbler were examined, all con- 
taining young birds recently hatched. It is likely that first 
sets of eggs of the redstart are deposited soon after the middle 
of June. However, on June 30 a nest was found containing 
four eggs, rosy fresh. Young birds from the nest had mean- 
while been seen, and it is more than lhkely that these fresh 
eggs were second attempts at nidification. Furthermore, a 


nest was examined on July 3, whose complement was two eggs 
somewhat advanced in incubation, a fact indicative of a second 
laying at least. 

All the nests of the American redstart examined by the 
writer in the Flathead region were placed in upright crotches 
formed by very small twigs branching from the main stem. 
The sites varied between eight and twenty feet from the 
ground, and were uniformly in the slender willows. 

An illustration of a typical nest is given, Plate IV., Fig. 2. 
It is a neat, closely-woven structure, made principally of soft 
vegetable fibers, fine stems and rootlets, downy feathers, and 
bits of delicate leaves, thatched with fragments of gossamer. 
It stands two inches in height, with an external diameter of 
‘two and three-eighths inches. The cavity is one and five- 
eighths inches in diameter, and one and three-eighths inches 
deep. | 

The usual nest complement seems to be four eggs; however, 
a nest was mentioned containing only two eggs, well incubated. 
The eggs are quite variable in amount of markings. The 
ground color is white, upon which the markings of reddish 
brown are found in irregular specks and blotches. 


MACGILLIVRAY’S WARBLER, Geothlypis macgillivrayt 
(Aud.) 


Like the willow thrush, Macgillivray’s warbler appeared to be 
less common than might be imagined from the suitable 
environments. Only one nest was noted; however, as this nest 
compiement was so far advanced in incubation that only one 
of the eggs was saved for a specimen, it is likely that the 
lateness of the season precluded the finding of other nests 
of this elegant ground warbler. Favorable localities in the 
neighborhood were searched repeatedly without results as de- 
sired. 

The nest mentioned was found in a grass tuft beside a 
trail made by anglers in passing up and down Swan River. 
It was noted on June 14, the day of the writer’s arrival at the 
Station. The female flitted from the nest to adjacent shrub- 
bery, acting quite indifferent regarding observation of her 
movements. As there was no means at hand of securing her, 
she was allowed to return to her nest for further ob- 


—I5— 


servation. When the nest was approached later in the day, 
however, she slipped away among neighboring stems, and gave 
no opportunity of securing her. She succeeded in repeating the 
trick several times the next day, but was finally taken for 
identification. 

The nest was placed in a tuft of grass growing among fallen 
branches and sprouts. It was about eight inches from the 
ground, probably having been raised by the growth of the 
grass after the construction of the nest, as frequently happens 
to nests of the yellowthroat and other birds that nestle in the 
grass tufts. The outer wall of the nest was made of long stems 
of dried grass; the inner of fine rootlets and horsehair. ‘lhe cav- 
ity was two and one-fourth inches in diameter, and one and 
seven-eighths inches in depth. There were five eggs, far ad- 
vanced in incubation. The ground color of the eggs is white 
with a faint creamy tinge. The markings are specks and 
blotches of dark brown, the heavier marks being generally ar- 
ranged around the larger end. In situation and construction 
of nest, and in the appearance of the eggs, the home of Mac- 
gillivray’s warbler is much like that of the yellowthroats, of 
whom the former is a congener. 

Like the other ground warblers, the warbler under consider- 
ation spends most of its time among the shrubbery, and in 
its movements it is much shyer than the western yellowthroat. 
In the nuptial season, however, the male frequently takes a 
favorite position in the summit of one of the less lofty trees 
of the neighborhood, and there utters at frequent intervals a 
pretty though short and unvaried ditty, likely to be inter- 
rupted by the approach of any meddlesome ornithologist, as 
the performer then generally flits to a less prominent place of 
recital. 


AUDUBON’S WARBLER, Dendroica auduboni (Towns.) 


Away from the willow swamps, in the coniferous trees of the 
higher woods, Audubon’s warbler is the most abundant repre- 
sentative of its family in the Flathead region. Among the 
firs, with pine siskins chattering in the lofty summits, Audu- 
bon’s warbler flits in the middle and lower stories, chanting 
its joyous measures, sporting with its fellows, or attending to 
the cares of its family ensconced in a tuft of the fir branch. 
Upon our arrival at the Station, this warbler was quite notice- 
able in the animated life among the higher trees, and our first 


ag 


day’s collection included several males of this beautiful species. ° 
At that early date for warbler nidification, a pair was ob- 
serve diligently caring for the wants of their young in a nest 
in a large pine, far out toward the extremity of a long horizontal 
branch; and as late as July 2 a nest was found containing young 
birds recently hatched. 

The finding of the first nest with eggs of this interesting 
warbler was an event which I recall with pleasure. Like many 
good finds of the collector, it was by the rarest fortune that 
this one habitation of Dendroica audubont was taken, for 
though the swampy area was thoroughly searched, no other 
nest of this species rewarded our eager quest; however, another 
nest with young birds was found in a different locality several 
days later. | 

On June 27, while hunting for soras in a small grassy open- 
ing in the swamp, my attention was attracted by the peculiar 
chirping of a pair of western evening grosbeaks flying overhead. 
Noticing that they flew rapidly in one direction, I thought 
perhaps there was a nest in their line of flight, or that. their 
objective point might be their nesting place, a desideratum 
far too valuable to be neglected. Entering the thick growth 
of slender willows enclosing the grassy slough, I had proceeded 
but a few steps when I espied a small grayish mass up in a 
crotch of one of the willow stems. Without being certain that it 
was a nest, I shook the stem, when a sitting bird flew downward 
obliquely and was rapidly making away among the bases ot 
surrounding trees as I caught her by a fortunate shot. The 
prize proved to be a female of Dendroica auduboni, and I was 
not long in ascending to the nest and securing it, with its five 
fresh eggs. It is needless to add that 1 was not rewarded so 
happily in my quest for the nest of the grosbeaks. 

The nest under consideration was eighteen feet from the 
ground, in a crotch of the main stem of the tree, so situated that 
it was quite exposed to view, there being no foliage for many 
feet above. In the gloom of the willow swamp, however, the 
nest was scarcely distinguishable to an observer on the ground. 
Tt appeared that the nest was rather accidental in location, for 
generally this warbler seemed to prefer the tufts on horizontal 
branches of the firs and pines. 

The nest shown in Plate XIII., is two and one-fourth inches 
in height, and three inches in diameter. The cavity averages 
one and seven-eighths inches in diameter, and is one and three- 
fourths inches deep. The structure is strongly made of dried 
weed stems, vegetable fibres, and soft grasses, with feathers 


—i17— 


and horsehair worked into the inner portion of the wall for 
lining. The eggs are grayish white, with specks and blotches of 
blackish brown principally at the larger end. 

As stated in a preceding paragraph, an extended search of 
the locality between the mouth of Swan River and the site 
of the nest, a region about a half mile in length, failed to reveal 
a second nest of this warbler. It seemed to the collector that 
every tree in the willow tract was closely scanned, but without 
results; hence the reason for the statement that this nesting 
seemed to be accidental or unusual. On July 2 a nest of 
Audubon’s warbler was found along the lake, upon a 
rocky ridge which precipitously faced the water. It was in 
a medium-sized fir tree near the shore, and was about twenty 
feet from the ground, the site being five feet from the trunk, 
near the end of a branch. Both parent birds were industriously 
feeding the young birds in the nest. 


YELLOW WARBLER, Dendroica aestiva (Gmel.) 


The yellow warbler is a common summer resident in the 
Flathead region, though outnumbered by the American red- 
start in the willow swamps and by Audubon’s warbler in the 
upland localities. The wide distribution of this warbler, and 
its preference for younger vegetation in selecting sites for its 
nest, give it more extended acquaintance than can be claimed 
for most of the other warblers. The predominance of the 
clear yellow in its attire makes this beautiful “yellow-bird” 
an attractive mark for the eye of the observer, and its vibrant 
chant causes the groves to ring with melody in the mating and 
nesting season; thus striking color, noticeable sng, and neigh- 
borly manners add to the popularity of the so-called “wild 
canary’, and serve to make it the best known representative 
_ of its family. 

The accompanying illustration, Plate XV., is of a nest of the 
yellow warbler taken on June 18. It was made in an upright 
crotch ten feet from the ground in a clump of syringa which 
grew on the margin of Swan River near the end of the bridge. 
As can be seen in the figure, the nest materials are woven 
around the oblique twigs forming the site. It is a thickly felted 
structure, measuring two and three-fourths inches in height 
and in diameter, the cavity being one and seven-eighths inches 
in diameter and one and one-half inches deep. 

The nest is made principally of fine grasses, with which are 


rhe 


woven grayish downy materials, fibres of weed bark, and bits of 
gossamer, with a lining of horsehair. This nest is almost gray 
on its exterior surface from the amount of gossamer and 
bleached vegetable fibers. It contained five fresh eggs. They 
have a grayish white ground, variously flecked with pale brown. 
Generally the dots are gathered into an imperfect wreath 
around the larger end of the egg. 

One of the handsomest nests of this warbler ever examined 
by the writer was noted in a haw tree near the point of land 
at the mouth of Swan River on the western side. ‘This nest 
was lined throughout with white down of vegetable growth, giv- 
ing the inner wall of the structure the appearance of the ma- 
terial in a lady’s white slipper. As the nest contained young 
birds at the time it was found, it was left for further use of 
the owner; but when the place was re-visited about a month 
later, to secure the nest, it could not be found, having been 
destroyed while laborers were grubbing in that locality. 

In this connection it will not be amiss to mention two nests 
of this warbler found late in the fall in another region. Both 
had evidently served their purpose as homes for families of 
young warblers; but under the soft texture of the base each 
of the nests had two eggs of the cowbird snugly covered. It 
was apparent that when the nests were finished, the cowbird 
had appropriated the snug cots before the owners had taken 
permanent possession, and had left their eggs for the care of 
the warblers. ‘The warblers, however, being apparently un- 
willing to take upon themselves the care of the cowbird off- 
spring, had immediately placed additional material upon the 
eggs of the parasite, thus defeating the aim of the cowbird, 
and relieving themselves of unwelcome inmates in their home. 
Such action of the yellow warbler, to avoid the care of the young 
cowbirds, is by no means uncommon. 

Following the preceding paragraph, it will be in place to 
state that in no instance was evidence of the cowbird found in 
the Flathead region as one of the breeding residents. Nests 
of vireos, sparrows, warblers, and other species were exam- 
ined, whose homes are generally imposed upon by the parasite, 
but no nest was found containing an egg of the cowbird. It 
seems unusual that such should be the case; it would be far 
stranger that the cowbird should be uncommon in this region 
in the nesting season. 


—19— 
WARBLING VIREO, Vireo gilvus (Vieill.) 


The warbling vireo appeared to be one of the most abundant 
species in the vicinity of the Biological Station. Every locality 
described was enlivened by the presence and notes of this 
charming greenlet. On the day of our arrival at the Station, 
June 14, a nest of the warbling vireo was taken in the lot across 
the road from the laboratory grounds. This nest was eight 
feet from the ground, suspended in a small fork near the ex- 
tremity of an oblique stem, and contained four eggs quite 
advanced in incubation. The female occupied the nest when 
it was discovered, and the male was singing in an evergreen 
tree above the clump containing the nest. While the nest 
was being disturbed, the female remained in the immediate 
neighborhood, uttering ditties similar to those of the male. 

On the following day, June 15, a nest of this species was 
noted in a swampy woods at the right of Swan River. It was 
nine feet from the ground, situated as usual in a dependent 
fork, and contained three fresh eggs. As in the preceding 
instance, the female was attending to her home duties, while the 
male was singing near the nest. Indeed, the song of this 
vireo is generally a sure index of a nest in the immediate vicin- 
ity, during the nesting season. 

Kast of the Swan River bridge and to the left of the road 
leading thence southward, there is an extensive area of low, 
damp woodland, which forms a very desirable home for the 
vireos, the olive-backed thrush, and other species. A nest 
of the warbling vireo was examined in these woods on June 18. 
It was six feet from the ground, pendent in a fork near the 
end of a low sprout. Four fresh eggs formed the complement, 
upon which one of the parent birds was sitting when disturbed 
by the collector. 

Flanking the road and adjacent woods, a rocky ridge stripped 
of tall timber by fires and overgrown with maple clumps 
and small evergreens, invites the attention of the collector. 
On June 20, a nest of the warbling vireo was found there, sit- 
uated nine feet from the ground in a maple clump. It con- 
tained four eggs advanced in incubation. 

The woods around Estey’s Pond form coverts for numbers 
of warbling vireos. While exploring the margins of this pond 
on June 22, we took a nest of the warbling vireo from a 
fork in bushes five and one-half feet from the ground. The 
branch sustaining the nest overhung a trail along the pond, 
so that anyone passing would likely brush against the nest 


BIG Yq ats 


with his head. This nest contained four eggs advanced in in- 
cubation. 

The eastern or left bank of Swan River, from the bridge to 
its mouth, has a well-worn trail made by fishermen. A nest 
of the warbling vireo was noted on June 23 beside this path. 
It was six feet from the ground, in a clump of syringa, and con- 
tained three well-fledged young. ‘This instance and the pre- 
ceding one illustrate a common tendency of several familiar 
species to establish their homes along paths and trails in gen- 
eral use, a trait mentioned in our notes concerning the nidifi- 
cation of the olive-backed thrush. 

The woods across the road from the laboratory grounds fur- 
nished us another note for June 26. A nest of the warbling 
vireo was found suspended as usual in a fork in a small clump 
of maple, eight feet from the ground. This nest contained 
four eggs, in which incubation had begun. 

From the date last given until the end of our observations 
on July 5, nests of this vireo were examined each day, but 
at this period of the nesting season no more nests were found 
containing eggs. The foregoing notes will suffice to show the 
general location of the nest-site and the usual nest com- 
plement. 

Plate XII. shows an illustration of a typical nest of this 
species. 

The nest figured in the illustration is an unusually handsome 
structure, having its exterior covered loosely with fragments of 
gossamer and bits of soft birch bark, besides showing the 
shreds of wasp paper woven into the outer wall. The walls are 
made of fine grass fibers resembling delicate pine shavings. An 
examination of the illustration will show the manner in which 
the nest is suspended by its brim. The cavity is two and one- 
fourth inches and two inches major and minor axes of the 
brim, the walls curving outward below the rim to give the 
cavity a sub-spherical form. 

The form of this species found in the Flathead region is 
described under the subspecific name of Vireo gilvus swainsonii. 


RED-EYED VIREO, Vireo olivaceus (Linn.) 


This persistent songster is fully as abundant in the Flat- 
head region as I have found it anywhere in its Mississippi Val- 
ley range. Everywhere throughout the wooded localities, either 
in the low willow areas or in the heavily timbered uplands, 


ee te 


the song of this tireless musician can be heard in the nesting 
season. Frequenting the treetops with other avian neighbors, 
it frequently falls a victim when the collector is hoping to 
obtain a more valuable specimen. In general, it haunts a 
somewhat higher level of the woods than does the warbling 
vireo, as its nesting sites average farther from the ground; 
and it does not manifest the same degree of confidence in 
human associations as is noticeable in the manners of its 
congener last described. On the day of our arrival at the 
Station, the red-eyed vireo was one of the commonest 
and noisiest (noticeable in song) birds of the woods, heard 
everywhere at .all times during the day. Owing to the fact 
that this vireo generally chooses a higher site for its nest than 
the warbling vireo, not so many notes were made regarding 
its nidification. 

On June 16, an apparently abandoned nest of the red-eyed 
vireo was found in the swampy woods at the right of the 
mouth of Swan River. It was pendent in a fork of an oblique 
willow stem, twelve feet from the ground, and contained four 
fresh eggs, one of which was partially destroyed, as it had a 
large hole pecked or gnawed in its side. The damage mav 
have been done by a squirrel or chipmunk, the latter being 
a very active agent in the destruction of eggs of native birds. 

On the afternoon of the same day, June 16, a nest of the red- 
eyed vireo was taken in the low thicket immediately west of 
the laboratory. This nest was nine feet from the ground, in 
a drooping fork of a haw tree. The complement was five fresh 
eggs. Like the structure of the warbling vireo described in 
the preceding notes, this product of the red-eyed vireo is finished 
exteriorly with bits of gossamer, birch bark, and flakes of wasp 
paper. It is attached less securely to the fork, and the walls 
are somewhat thinner. The materials are much the same, 
though those used by the red-eyed vireo are darker and less at- 
tractive. In interior measurements the nests are about the 
same size. The eggs of these vireos are quite similar, having 
a clear white ground, with specks of blackish brown irregularly 
and sparsely scattered over the surface, frequently more numer- 
ous at the larger end. The eggs of the red-eyed vireo average 
slightly larger than those of the warbling vireo. 

In Plate XT. a nest with a full complement of eggs is shown. 
Compare with Plate XIT. 


saci by pees 


CEDAR WAXWING, Ampelis cedrorum (Vieill.) 


The cedar waxwing is probably abundant everywhere through- 
out Montana. In the Flathead region it was found commonly 
in all localities mentioned in these notes. In the vicinity of 
the Station it finds adequate supplies of food in the haws and 
elder berries in season. As a flycatcher, the cedar waxwing 
is as expert as the kingbird and pewees, for from a station 
in the top of some denuded tree, it will sally forth for long 
distances, take its prey with expert skill, turn in air, 
and return to its post in true flycatcher-lhke manner. Except 
in the nesting season, the cedar waxwing manifests its social 
disposition by flocking with others of its kind, resembling the 
crossbill in its restless movements from one treetop to another. 

My first nest of the cedar waxwing was found on a trip to 
the Cedar Islands, at the head of McGovern’s Bay, which 
forms the upper end of Flathead Lake. The nest was in a 
cedar tree, near the extremity of a horizontal branch at the 
top of the tree. The site was eighteen feet from the ground, 
but about nine feet above a rocky ledge under the tree. The 
structure was made entirely of the long dark green lichen 
or moss which droops so plentifully from tamaracks and other 
evergreen trees. The mossy material was pinned together with 
needles from the pine tree. This nest contained five eggs, in 
which incubation had begun, June 24. 

On July 1 a nest of this species was found in the lot across 
the road from the laboratory. It was made in the top of a low 
fir tree, the situation being similar to that usually selected 
by the olive-backed thrush. The nest was nine feet from the 
ground, made among twigs against the main stem of the fir. 
Itfurther resembled the work of the thrush in being placed upon 
a foundation of coarse dried grasses and weed stems. The nest 
proper, however, was constructed of lichen pinned together with 
needles, as described in the note upon the foregoing nest. The 
nest cavity was two and one-half by three inches, major and 
minor axes, and two inches deep. The complement was five 
egos, somewhat advanced in incubation. The eggs are ashy 
gray, marked irregularly with spots of blackish brown. 


TREE SWALLOW Tachycineta bicolor (Vieill.) 


This beautiful swallow was found nesting abundantly in all 
suitable regions. Estey’s Pond, whose margin was fringed with 


2 faa 


dead trees containing cavities made by woodpeckers in preceding 
seasons, was a favorite resort for this species. East of the 
ridge mentioned as flanking the Helena Club grounds and 
the road leading southward, was a depression which contained 
many tall boles with holes inhabited by the tree swallow. The 
islands at the head of McGovern’s Bay formed attractive resorts 
for the tree swallow, and there we found the only nest ex- 
amined containing eggs. The site of the nest was a cavity 
in a large cedar tree, about twenty feet from the ground, but 
not more than half that distance from the top of a rocky ledge 
beside the tree. The cavity was a natural crack in the decayed 
trunk, about a foot deep, in which a nest of soft chicken feath- 
ers had been made. On the day of observation, June 24, there 
was but one egg in the nest. The egg of this swallow is pure 
white, closely resembling that of the downy woodpecker, or 
the chimney swift. 


LOUISIANA TANAGER, Piranga ludoviciana (Wils.) 


The Louisiana tanager is one of the bird beauties of the 
Northwest. The male, with his clear lemon-yellow attire, varied 
with crimson-hued head, is a striking feature of the evergreen 
woods. The female is not so attractively dressed, having a robe 
of olive instead of brighter colors. In voice, also, this species 
is worthy of unusual consideration. The male has a warble 
quite like that of the robin, though careful discrimination may 
note that it is uttered more hurriedly and sharply. Its usual 
call consists of two syllables, which may be represented 
by the word “truckee”, accented on the last syllable. 

It was my fortune to find one nest of this tanager, and that 
one contained young birds about three days old, on June 21. 
I had been in the vicinity of the nest repeatedly on previous 
days, but not until this occasion was my attention directed to 
it. The fact of having young at this time led the parent 
birds to disclose their secret by their anxiety, which had not 
been so great when I had been near the place while the nest 
contained eggs. The actions of other nesting birds in that 
particular clump of woods, however, had aided to cause me to 
everlook this tanager home on former occasions, for the 
bushes had claimed my attention to the neglect of the trees 
overhead. ee | 

The nest of the Louisiana tanager was in the woods across 
the road from the Station grounds. It was in a fir tree, twelve 


—24-— 


feet from the ground, placed near the extremity of a drooping 
horizontal branch. The style of architecture was similar to 
that of the grosbeak, rootlets being the principal. material, 
which were woven into a loose basket; the surrounding ma- 
terial, however, afforded additional service in the nature of 
nest walls. 


LAZULI BUNTING, Passerina amoena (Say ) 


The beautiful lazuli bunting is a bird of the bushes, clear- 
ings or burnt areas overgrown with shrubbery being its favorite 
resorts. In song and habits it is the counterpart of its eastern 
congener, the indigo bunting, Passerina cyanea (Linn.) 
Mounted in the top of a tall tree, it will chant at frequent 
intervals its monotonous song, seemingly in happy enjoyment 
of the sunshine. 

Though the lazuli bunting is very common in the region 
under consideration, but one nest was found; however, no 
particular effort was made to find this one or another, chance 
leading the collector upon it while diligently searching for the 
nest of a less common species. It was in a growth of young 
tamaracks on a ridge along Swan River. The ridge had been 
fire-swept in a preceding season, and over the fallen trunks had 
grown the tamaracks and bushes. The nest was two and one- 
fourth feet from the ground, slightly suspended among up- 
right stems of sprouts growing among the tamaracks. The 
female was flushed from the nest, and while her home was 
being despoiled she manifested considerable anxiety, flitting 
here and there with her mate and chirping apprehensively. 

The nest is figured in the accompanying illustration, Plate X. 
It is a rounded basket-like cup made of long dried grasses and 
weed fibers. The lining is made of fine grasses and scanty 
horsehair. The cavity averages two and one-fourth inches in 
diameter, and is two inches deep. The complement consisted 
of three fresh eggs, which are pale greenish-blue in color, 
almost white, unspotted. 


BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, Habia melanocephala (Swains) 


This beautiful western congener of the rose-breasted grosbeak, 
Habia ludoviciana (Linn.), is a common summer resident of 
the Flathead region. Its charming song is so nearly like that of 


—25— 


the rose-breasted grosbeak that the listener who is acquainted 
with the latter might imagine that the eastern species had 
wandered beyond its elm and maple groves of eastern local- 
ities, and had taken up its residence in our western evergreen 
woods. The lower trees and thickets are more congenial to 
the black-headed grosbeak, haw trees being usually selected 
for nesting sites. Like its eastern relative, it is a tireless song- 
ster in the nesting season, everywhere proclaiming its presence 
by its rich, mellow expressions of content. 

On our first exploring trip, in the afternoon of June 14, I 
found a nest of the black-headed grosbeak beside the road 
leading up Swan River on the eastern side. The nest was in 
a clump of saplings, built in a crotch twelve feet from 
the ground, among upright stems so small that a bundle of 
them had to be strapped together to support the weight of 
the collector. When the nest was discovered, the male was at- 
tending to family duty, a trait of the grosbeaks notable with 
the rose-breasted species. The nest is made loosely of weed- 
stems and rootlets, with a lining of fine grass stems, all hav- 
ing a brownish color. The cavity is three inches in diameter, 
and one and one-fourth inches deep. The nest contained four 
eggs far advanced in incubation. They are light olive green, 
marked irregularly with specks and blotches of pale brown, 
usually more numerous on the larger end. One egg of this 
set was destroyed by a gust of wind, which carried the egg 
off a table and landed it upon a rock in the foundation of the 
laboratory. The nest with the three remaining eggs is shown 
in the accompanying illustration, Plate VI. 

On June 19, a second nest was found in the woods at the right 
of the mouth of Swan River. As in the preceding instance, 
the nest was beside a road leading out upon the point at the 
rivers mouth, though not generally used. The site was an 
upright crotch thirteen feet from the ground in a haw, near 
the extremity of an oblique branch. In this case the male 
was likewise sitting upon the eggs. The nest was made like 
the former, of brownish stems and rootlets, lined with fine 
grass stems. There were four eggs, which were advanced in 
incubation. This nest is also figured in an accompanying illus- 
tration, Plate IX. 


sls Y pan 


WESTERN CHIPPING SPARROW, Spizella socialis arizonae 
Coues. 


This familiar species was everywhere abundant, and its well- 
known familiarity and very general distribution caused it to re- 
ceive little attention beyond the note regarding its presence in 
the various localities visited. Whether climbing rocky crests 
in search of juncos or threading the bushes in quest of other 
species, we were certain to find the omnipresent chipping spar- 
row, generally with an insect morsel in its mouth to hand over 
to its hungry younghings crouching in the bush. 

Only one nest of the western chipping sparrow was taken, 
the record being for June 15. It was found in a bush near 
the edge of the woods at the right of the mouth of Swan 
River. The site was three feet from the ground, near the 
top of the bush. There were four eggs, in which incubation was 
well advanced. ‘The nest is made altogether of very fine black- 
ish rootlets, with a substantial lining of horsehair. The cavity 
is an inch and three-fourths in diameter, and one and one-half 
inches deep. These eggs are dingy pale green, marked prin- 
cipally with pale rusty brown in blotches of varying size. Be- 
sides these, there are blotches of black color irregularly found 
as markings. 


WRIGHT’S FLYCATCHER, Hmpidonaz wrighttt Baird. 


Though common as one of the breeding birds of the 
Flathead region, Wright’s flycatcher seems to limit its resi- 
dence during the summer to a very short season, only sufficient 
to rear its brood. Four nests of this flycatcher were taken 
during the period under consideration in these notes, and in 
each instance the female was taken to secure perfect identifi- 
cation; upon our return to the Station in the first week of 
August and during the month following, we were unable to 
secure a specimen of Wright’s flycatcher in any of the localities 
where they had been observed earlier in the season. How- 
ever, this flycatcher is unusually shy under observation, gen- 
erally managing to place itself behind friendly foliage, hence > 
its presence could be easily overlooked. It is more than proba- 
ble, however, that like Traill’s flveatcher, common in the 
same localities, it takes its departure for southern climes to- 
ward the end of July, or rather disappears from its accustomed 
haunts about that time. 


mY Ba. 


A nest of Wright’s flycatcher was found on June 15 in the 
edge of the woods at the right of the mouth of Swan River. 
It was in an upright fork five feet from the ground, in a clump 
of maple sprouts. It contained four fresh eggs. The nest 
stands three inches in height and three inches in diameter. 
The cavity is one and seven-eighths inches in diameter, and one 
and one-half inches deep. ‘The nest is constructed of grayish veg- 
etable fibers and shreds of birch bark, with minute downy 
feathers woven into the inner wall for lining, together with 
fine grasses used sparingly. The eggs are pale creamy white. 

The second nest was taken on June 18, on the ridge east of 
the bridge. It was ten feet from the ground, in a crotch 
near the top of: a maple clump, and contained five eggs ad- 
vanced in incubation. This nest was also made of long grayish 
vegetable fibers, the coarser ones being used externally. In the 
inner portion of the wall were woven small downy feathers, 
one noticeably yellow, besides cottony material which gave the 
lining a felted appearance similar to some nests of the yellow 
warbler, Dendroica aestiva. This nest is one and three-fourths 
inches average diameter and one and three-fourths inches deep, 
internal measurements. In outward dimensions it is the same 
as in the preceding instance. 

The third nest was found on the eastern side of the ridge 
which lies east. of the Swan River bridge. It was situated in a 
crotch four feet from the ground in a clump of maple sprouts. 
In construction and appearance it is similar to the two nests 
described. It contained three eggs, the set being evidently in- 
complete, as the eggs were quite fresh, though the female 
was sitting when the nest was discovered. The record is for 
June 20. 

The fourth nest of this flycatcher was taken on June 25, hav- 
ing been found some days before but left for further examina- 
tion. It was in the edge of the swampy woods at the right 
of Swan River, eight feet from the ground in a crotch against 
an oblique stem in the periphery of a clump of maple sprouts. 
This nest contained four eggs, in which incubation had well 
begun. 

Thus our notes show that the average distance of these nests 
from the ground was somewhat less than seven feet; all were 
placed in upright forks or crotches in clumps of maple, gen- 
erally in the periphery of the clump; all were made of grayish 
vegetable fibers, having downy feathers woven into the inner 
surface of the walls; and the complement generally consists 
of four or five eggs. 


ey 


KINGBIRD, Tyrannus tyrannus (Linn.) 


The kingbird is common as a summer resident in the locali- 
ties mentioned in these notes. It is seen most numerously 
along the margins of the lake, in the willows whose bases are 
submerged by the back water; there it is noisy and ubiquitous, 
exercising its sway over its claimed domains with its usual 
pugnacious disposition, and rearing its broods in the low trees 
of the lakeshore. Several families were noted along the mar- 
gin of Daphnia Pond; and because of an unusual nesting site 
selected by a pair of kingbirds along the shore of this pond, 
this note is made. The nest was made in a cavity in a dead, de- 
nuded tree, the cavity being broken open so that the nest 
was exposed to view on one side, and the sitting bird easily 
seen as she faced the entrance or front of the cavity. As she 
sat thus with observant eyes for passing events, the male fre- 
quently visited her with some dainty morsel for her refresh- 
ment. The cavity was about eighteen feet from the ground. The 
bare stem, from which the branches had been swept by fire, 
resembled a pole in appearance. 

The kingbird in this region chooses sites much nearer the 
ground and more exposed in situation than it does in more 
eastern localities. On July 6, as we landed from the launch 
that had carried us to the foot of Flathead Lake, it happened 
that a nest of the kingbird containing young birds was in a 
dwarf tree near our landing-place. A crowd of Indian lads as- 
sembled to witness our landing, and some of them espied the 
nest with its noisy young. It is needless to state that in a few 
minutes the younglings had fallen victims to the heartless- 
ness of the crowd, being pitched out upon the water and then 
pelted with stones as they fluttered helplessly upon the ripples. 

The dwarf trees and bushes found generally along the 
streams of the Flathead Reservation are commonly populated by 
the kingbird, and most of the nests are so low that they can 
be examined without climbing or reaching. In notes made 
later in the Reservation we find a nest in a corner of 
a rail fence, at a point about half the height of the fence; an- 
other in a bush by a streamside not three feet from the ground; 
such instances are the rule and not the exception. 


WESTERN NIGHTHAWK, Chordeiles virginianus henryi 
(Cass.) 


The western nighthawk is very common in the Flathead 


—29— 


region. Its wonderful aerial evolutions at dusk, and in the 
afternoon of cloudy days, have given it extended acquaintance, 
hence it is more generally known than many of our avian neigh- 
bors. Not all persons, however, who have witnessed its vola- 
torial powers, have heard the strange sound, resembling a 
steamer or gong whistle, which it utters sometimes as it 
plunges downward in its flight. The rocky ledges near the 
Station afford the nighthawk suitable nesting sites, and during 
the day we frequently startled the drowsy birds as they sought 
retirement after a period of activity at dusk and in the early 
morning. | 

One nest of the western nighthawk, or rather one set 
of eggs, was found, and that was taken on the last day of our 
collecting trip at the Station, July 5. The two eggs were on a 
bare rock back of the store at Holt. No nest was made for 
them. They were quite advanced in incubation. In color 
they were stone gray, with spots of blackish brown. 


RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER, Sphyrapicus varius nuchalis 
Baird. 


Most of the woodpeckers nest early, hence little attention 
was given to their nesting habits; moreover, most of them nest 
in sites which require strenuous climbing to reach, and as this 
was not our purpose while making these notes, the woodpeckers 
were generally passed with little notice. A family of red-naped 
sapsuckers, however, had selected a site so obvious that this 
note is given to them. It was in a dead aspen in the margin 
of the grassy slough in the woods at the right of Swan River, 
mentioned in an introductory paragraph. When the birds 
were observed, they were feeding their young in the cavity, 
the entrance being a small sub-circular hole about eight feet 
from the level of the water, which had surrounded the foot of 
the tree. On June 26, when the note was made, the young 
appeared to be quite well-grown, judging by the buzzing clamor 
they raised when the parent bird stood at the entrance with 
food. 


BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, Coccyzus erythrophthalmus (Wils.) 


While I am aware that the identification is questionable, I 
submit the following note for what it is worth. No specimens 


—30-—— 


of the black-billed cuckoo were taken or seen in the region around 
Flathead, a fact which makes the note of even less value; 
however, subsequent observation may give additional light upon 
the question here raised regarding this species as a summer 
resident of the Flathead region. 

On July 3 the writer picked up an egg in a path through 
the swamp-woods at the right of Swan River. In size and ap- 
pearance, the specimen closely corresponds to the egg of the 
black-billed cuckoo, or the western representative of the yellow- 
billed cuckoo. It had evidently been dropped in the path, 
and was fractured somewhat on the side on which it rested, 
but it made a fair specimen awaiting identification. 


AMERICAN OSPREY, Pandion haliaetus carolinensis (Gmel.) 


The American osprey is the most noticeable bird of prey in 
the vicinity of the Station. One of the regular noises of the 
day was the peculiar whistle of the osprey, which has some- 
what of a ventriloquial effect, as it seems to issue from a point 
nearby when the author is much farther from the hearer. The 
cry is uttered most frequently when the birds are approach- 
ing or leaving the nest, or wheeling in the neighborhood of 
their home. 

On the bank of the river opposite to the Station, in the 
Helena Club grounds, a pair of ospreys had established a 
home at the top of a lofty pine stub. The site had been used 
by ospreys in previous seasons, and was evidently a regular 
tenement. At our advent to the neighborhood, on June 14, 
the nest contained well-fledged young, which kept the elders 
industriously engaged in supplying the demand for fresh meat 
in the form of fish. We left the place on July 6, but upon our 
return on August 6, the nest was still used as a place of re- 
sort and as head-quarters for the parent birds in providing 
for the wants of the dependent youngsters. The nest is shown 
in Plate VIII. 


SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, Accipiter velox (Wils.) 


Owing to the retiring habits of this little Accipiter in the 
breeding season, few notes were made upon its occurrence near 
the Station. The thickets of the low swamp at the right of 
Swan River doubtless formed congenial resorts for this hawk, 


—3I— 


and as the same localities were abundantly populated by small 
birds which the sharp-shinned hawk is known to prey upon, 
there was little occasion for it to stir far abroad. Indeed, it is 
unusual for this hawk to be found far from its nesting site; 
if either of a pair is observed foraging regularly in a thicket in 
the early breeding season, a nest is likely to be found in the 
vicinity at the appropriate time. 

A nest of the sharp-shinned hawk was taken on July 3, in 
the swamp woods at the right of Swan River. A most admira- 
ble site had been selected. ‘T'wo large birches grew in a clump 
of fir trees, so that the stems of the birches and a fir formed 
a triangle measuring about two feet on each side. The nest 
was made on’ fir branches between the two birches, eight feet 
from the ground, being thus exposed to view only upon one 
side. It was a mass of small twigs fifteen inches in diameter, 
the cavity being six inches across and one and one-half inches 
deep. As is usually the case in the architecture of this hawk, 
there was nothing whatever to serve as lining. The com- 
plement was four handsomely marked eggs, well advanced in 
incubation. 

The eggs of this set are quite variable in marking, follow- 
ing the rule with eggs of the sharp-shinned hawk. The gen- 
eral ground color is pale bluish-white. Upon this two of the 
eggs have their larger ends entirely covered with blotches of 
bright umber, the thickness of the markings giving the ap- 
pearance of one large blotch. Over the remainder of their sur- 
faces there are scattering marks of the same color. The third 
egg has the blotches arranged in a wreath around the smaller 
end, forming a likeness to a band of pale umber, with scatter- 
ing marks upon the remainder of the surface. The fourth 
egg has the markings chiefly upon the larger end, but not so 
solidly as in the case of the two first described; in addition, 
the fourth egg has several prominent blotches of blackish brown, 
seemingly upon the umber markings. Of the eggs of this 
species, Oliver Davie says: ‘“Twhe eggs of the sharp-shinned 
hawk, Mr. Norris states, are subject to great variation in 
markings, and yet, as a rule, they can be identified at a glance. 
With the exception of the sparrow hawk, they are the smallest 
laid by any of the hawks found in North America, and among 
the most beautiful eggs of any of the Raptores. Their ground 
color varies from bluish-white to grayish-white, spotted, 
blotched, speckled, streaked and clouded with light fawn color, 


——32—. 


burnt umber, chestnut, lavendar-gray, chocolate, russet-brown | 
and cinnamon, exhibiting an endless variety of bold and indis- — 
tinct patterns of coloration and design.” 


SPOTTED SANDPIPER, Actitis macularia (Linn.) 


The spotted sandpiper was found breeding in abundance along 
the lakeshore. Wherever there was sandy beach or gravelly 
shore to any extent, there the spotted sandpiper could be heard 
uttering its “peet weet”, and could be seen “teetering” in its 
characteristic manner as it gleaned along the margin of the 
water. The long sandy stretches between the mouth of Swan 
River and of I"lathead River were favorite resorts of the sand- 
pipers, and there they could be heard calling at all hours of 
the day, and late into the evening. This shore was being 
gradually exposed by the falling water of the lake, and the 
great sandy flats were exactly suited to the tastes of the little 
“‘teeter-up”’. 

The first nest of the spotted sandpiper was found on June 
18, on the sandy point at the right of the mouth of Swan 
River. The female was flushed from the nest about dusk. The 
site was under a bare drift log, and was made in a depression 
three inches in diameter and one inch deep. It was made of 
coarse weed-stems, bits of bark and rubbish. The complement. 
was three eggs, two placed small ends together, the third 
placed along the small ends of the other two. Incubation was 
quite advanced in these eggs. Their ground color is a polished 
clay, upon which are spots and blotches of dark reddish brown 
and blackish-brown. 

My notes for June 20 record a nest of this species found on 
the wooded island below the Station, in Swan River, the island 
afterward becoming part of the mainland as the water of the 
river receded into its narrow channel. The nest was made 
in the open sand, though under trees, about ten feet from 
the water. It was three inches in diameter, and one and one- 
half inches deep, made of refuse rubbish banked around the 
depression in the sand. There were four fresh eggs 
placed small ends together and downwards, almost half buried 
in the loose materials of the structure. 

A third set of eggs of the spotted sandpiper was taken on 
June 25, on the same sandy point mentioned in the former 
instance. The nest was in a little clump of sprouts, about 
twenty feet from the water, and well concealed on all sides. 


It was three inches across, one and one-fourth inches deep, 
and was made of pieces of dried weed-stems and rubbish. There 
were three eggs, in which incubation had begun. 

On June 27, a nest of the spotted sandpiper was found on 
the sandy beach at a point near the mouth of Flathead River. 
It was in a willow bush about twenty feet from the water, made 
of drift rubbish, measurements as in the preceding instance. 
This nest contained four fresh eggs. 

A set of eggs is shown in Plate XIV. 


Supplementary Motes, 1901 


Fourteen nests of olive-backed thrush, Turdus ustulatus 
swainsonii, were examined in the region under consideration, in 
1901. Of these, the highest site was eight feet, the lowest 
three and one-half feet, the average being six and one-half 
feet from the ground. Ten of these nests contained four eggs 
or young as the complement, and of the remainder, two held 
three fresh eggs, which might constitute incomplete sets. Nine 
of these nests were in upright crotches, of which eight were 
in maple saplings and one in a birch; the other nests were in 
firs, on horizontal branches beside the main stem. The first 
was found June 18, with fresh eggs; the last one contained 
eggs quite advanced in incubation, July 5. 

A nest of the willow thrush, T'urdus fuscescens salicicola, 
was found in the swamp-woods bordering the Jocko River at 
Selish, on June 16. It was made on a heap of dried and decayed 
leaves on fallen branches, one foot from the ground. The 
nest was similar in construction to that described on page 12. 
It contained four eggs, incubation well advanced. From the 
frequent notes heard, it seems that this species is more com- 
mon than we supposed from our observations in the preceding 
season. 

A nest of the American dipper, Cinclus mexicanus, was taken 
at Lake McDonald, from a shelf of rock about four feet above 
the water of the lake shore. It was constructed entirely of 
green moss, and was situated in an angle of the rock, the 
site giving it an ellipsoidal form. It was nine and one-half 
inches long, and seven and one-half inches high, with a width of 
seven inches from front to back. The entrance was a sub-cir- 
cular hole three inches in diameter, near the middle of the 


met ai et 


front side immediately above the floor. The walls varied from 
one to two inches in thickness, forming a neat spherical cavity 
as yet unoccupied, June 24. 

A nest of Wilson’s warbler, Sylvania pusilla (Wils.), was 
taken on June 24, in the vicinity of McDonald Lake. It was 
found under the projecting shelter of a moss-covered, decayed 
prostrate log in a dense arbor-vitae swamp-woods. The brim 
was flush with the surroundings in decayed leaves, moss, and 
punk. The walls were made of coarse weed fibers, and the 
lining was a scanty layer of reddish-brown fibers and horse- 
hair. The cavity measured two inches in diameter, and one 
and one-fourth inches in depth. ‘There were four eggs, incuba- 
tion quite advanced, and one egg was broken in blowing. The 
female was startled from her cozy home as I stepped over the 
log almost over the nest. In size and appearance, the eggs 
closely resemble those of the chickadee, having a whitish ground 
irregularly marked with fine specks of thin reddish-brown, the 
markings being thickest at the larger end. 

On June 29, a nest of western yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas 
occidentalis Brewst., was taken on a mountain-side near Flat- 
head Lake, at an elevation of 5,000 feet. It was in the base 
of a low bush, eight inches from the ground. It was made 
entirely of coarse weed-stems, with a lining of horsehair. The 
cavity was one and five-eighths inches across, and one and 
three-eighths inches deep. There were four fresh eggs, which 
had a pinkish white ground, with irregular dots and blotches 
of thin reddish-brown. Besides this nest, several others of the 
year were found, one in Daphnia Pond in a tuft of rushes 
being made of coarse rush blades, with a scanty layer of fine 
stems for lining. 

Macgillivray’s warbler was noted more frequently than in 
1900, though no nests with eggs were taken. On June 30, a 
nest of this warbler was found in the base of a low bush in the 
woods near Flathead Lake. It was eight inches from the 
eround, made of coarse dried grasses and lined with horsehair. 
The cavity was two and one-fourth inches in diameter, and 
one and three-fourths inches in depth. I accidentally brushed 
against the nest, which was filled with fledglings about ready 
to fly, and they fluttered out quickly into the adjacent. bushes, 
entailing a great degree of chirping by the parents to collect 
the scattered younglings. 

This year we were more fortunate in our search for the home 


saeco renin 


of the junco.. A nest of Shufeldt’s junco was found on July 
9, in the woods near the base of MacDougal Peak. It was on 
the side of a small moss-covered mound, which had been formed 
by the uprooting of a tree in other years. The nest 
was in a recess, and was made of coarse weed-stems 
and lined with fine light grasses. It was four inches across and 
two inches high after removal from the site. The cavity meas- 
ured two and one-half inches in diameter, and one and one- 
fourth inches in depth. Its complement was four fresh eggs, 
which were greenish-white, marked with reddish-brown, the 
larger end as usual having the greater amount of markings. 

While at Sin-yale-a-min Lake, a number of used nests were 
examined, the work of the black-headed jay, cyanocitta stelleri 
annectens (Baird). They were found in small firs, invariably 
along the streams, and generally about twelve feet from the 
ground, on horizontal branches beside the main stem. The 
chosen site was usually about three-fourths the height of the 
tree. They were made of an outer framework of coarse twigs, 
and were about eight inches across in exterior measurement, 
and five inches high. The outer wall was made of muddy moss 
and coarse stems, the lining being of coarse brown rootlets. The 
cavity averaged four and three-fourths inches in diameter, and 
three inches deep. 

On June 28, I found a nest ef the’ black-headed jay near a 
bridge over a small stream where we stopped for lunch. The 
nest was eighteen feet from the ground, in a stout upright fork 
of the main stem, which leaned over the water. It was made 
as described in the foregoing paragraph, having an outer frame- 
work of coarse twigs, walls of mud about a half-inch thick, an 
inner wall of coarse black rootlets, and a bedding of finer 
rootlets. There were four eggs, on which the female was sit- 
ting. She was secured for identification, and later, when the 
male came near, with a mouthful of grasshoppers, he was also 
taken. The eggs were quite advanced in incubation. They 
were light green in color, irregularly spotted with dark-brown. 
About twenty feet from the tree containing this nest. was an- 
other with an old nest similar in construction, situated in a 
small fir as previously described. It is hkely that the nest 
with eggs was a second nesting of this pair of jays; if such 
is the case, it will account for the late date of nidification, as 
the usual season of this jay had apparently closed in the neigh- 
borhood. 


WG oe 


While passing through St. Ignatius, on the Reservation, our 
attention was attracted by the Arkansas kingbird, Tyrannus 
verticallis Say, and a nest was found in a corral, on the groove 
of a windlass, beside one of the uprights. It was about twelve 
feet from the ground, and was made of soft fibers, stems, and 
cordage. It contained three eggs, in which incubation had _ 
begun. The eggs of the Arkansas kingbird closely resemble 
those of the kingbird, being cream-white with irregular spots 
of reddish-brown. 


Conclusion 


If the foregoing were intended to be a list of the breeding 
birds of the Flathead region, there are many notes which might 
be incorporated in this report. However, it is intended simply 
as a record of what was done in the period mentioned; hence 
every note stands for a nest or specimen actually seen. On 
June 18, a brood of young ducks was led to the water by the 
parents, American golden-eye, Glaucionetta clangula americana 
Bonap., from a hole in a cottonwood near the boat-house on 
the Helena Club grounds. The parent birds were observed 
visiting and leaving the hole by younger members of our 
party, and upon their reporting the matter to me, we went to 
the place, to find that the family had taken to the water and 
doubtless forever abandoned their woody cell. On another oc- 
casion, when a pleasure party was spending a day near the 
bridge, one of the boys discovered a nest of a hummingbird, 
doubtless the rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus Gmel., as 
it was taken from bushes overhanging the bank of Swan River. 
Before it was brought to my notice, the two eggs were lost and 
the nest destroyed. These instances are mentioned to show 
that no attempt has been made to prolong this list beyond the 
actual observation of the collector, nor was it the intention to 
secure a lengthy list. As a record of private collecting, it is 
given here in the desire to contribute to a more general dis- 
tribution of the natural history data of the state. 


Vist of Birds of the Flathead Dake Region 


List of birds, with notes on their habits and distribution, ob- 
served in the Mission Mountains, the Mission Valley, and at 
Flathead Lake. The list comprises the birds seen from June 5 
to August 29, 1900. Skins of most of the species here men- 
tioned are deposited in the museum of the University. The 
numbers correspond to the A. O. U. check list. 


4. AMERICAN EARED GREBE, Colymbus nigricollis cali- 
fornicus (Fleerm.) 


On June 20, 1901, a brood of American eared grebe was 
seen on Sin-yale-a-min Lake. There were nine or ten speci- 
mens in the family, and three were taken. The brood had 
evidently been reared on the lake, as the youngsters were in- 
capable of extended flight, though they were in full plumage. 
A specimen was taken later at Mud Lake, near Flathead. 


6. PIED-BILLED GREBE, Podilymbus podiceps (Linn.) 


Not common at the northern end of Flathead Lake. One 
specimen noted on the eastern shore, below the mouth of Swan 
River. 


7%. LOON, Urinator wmber (Gunn.) 


Common on Flathead Lake, singly and in pairs. Also 
common on Swan Lake, where its clear Jaughing calls resound 
far over the little valley enclosing the lake. Not noted at Mc- 
Donald Lake. 

It is not likely that the Loon is more than a summer visitant 
to Sin-yale-a-min Lake. This sheet of water is a desirable 
stopping place for passing birds at nightfall. A pair of loons 
spent one night at the lake during our visit, and an effort was 
made to secure a specimen the next morning, but without 
success. 


—358— 


11. RED-THROATED LOON, Urinator lumme (Gunn.) 


A female of this species was taken at Mud Lake, near Flat- 
head, on July 15,1901. It was alone, though several American 
mergansers were near it. 


49. WESTERN GULL, Larus occidentalis Aud. 


A common visitor at the northern end of Flathead Lake. A 
specimen was taken on Aug. 29, at the sand-bar near the mouth 
of Hlathead River. associating with Larus delawarensis and 
Sterna forstert. 


54. RING-BILLED GULL, Larus delawarensis Ord. 


A regular visitor to the upper end of Flathead Lake, appear- 
ing in pairs and flocks of eight to twenty, generally after bois- 
terous days on the lake. It manifests unusual curiosity, 
as a poat or launch will attract it to hover about, often to its 
harm. Specimens were frequently taken, Aug. 23, 24, and fol- 
lowing dates. 


69. FORSTER’S TERN, Sterna forster1 Nutt. 


Irregular visitor to the northern end of Flathead Lake. On 
Aug. 23, a specimen was taken near the mouth of Swan River, 
from a small flock that flitted capriciously over the water. 


129. AMERICAN MERGANSER, Aferganser americanus 
(Cass.) 


On Aug. 23, a flock of six or eight mergansers appeared in: 
the bay immediately west of the station, near the boat landing. 
A specimen was taken from this flock on Aug. 24, and there- 
utter this fishing duck was regularly noted. When one of the 
flock succeeded in capturing a fish, the others would pursue the 
successful fisher, and a playful scuffle for possession of the prey 
would ensue, in which the victim was generally dismembered 
by the harsh teeth ci the captors. 


131. THOODED MERGANSER; Lophodytes cucullatus (Linn.) 


On July 15, 1901, a female hooded merganser was taken 


at Mud Lake. This was the only specimen noted, though this 
merganser is common in this region as a regular resident. 


132. MALLARD, Anas boschas Linn. 


This fine duck is a common migrant at the upper end of 
Vlathead Lake, appearing in flocks there as elsewhere. A spec- 
imen was taken on Aug. 24. Numbers were noted at the right 
of the mouth of Flathead River, where a small cove offered ne 
convenient anchorage. It often breeds in the neighborhood. 


139. GREEN-WINGED THAL, Anas carolinensis Gmel- 


A flock of green-winged teal appeared on Daphnia Pond 
about the middle of August, and a specimen was taken on 
August. 17. Thereafter this teal was noted regularly on the 
pond, and in the mouth of Swan River. 


148. PINTAIL, Dafila acuta (Linn.) 


The pintail doubtless breeds at the north end of Flathead 
Lake, as specimens were regularly noted in the swampy area 
between Swan River and Flathead River, during our observa- 
tions in June. Numbers were accumulating in the cove west 
of the mouth of Flathead River during the latter days of Au- 
gust, with the mallard, green-winged teal, American golden-eye, 
American merganser, and other species. 


144. WOOD DUCK, Aix sponsa (Linn.) 


A brood of young wood ducks appeared on the grassy slough 
in the swamp-woods between Swan River and Flathead River, 
and a young male was taken, July 31, 1901. Residents of the 
neighborhood report that the wood duck is disappearing, be- 
ing seen much less frequently than it was several years ago. 


151 AMERICAN GOLDEN-EYE, Glauctonetta clangula ame 
wcana (Bonap.) 
A pair of American eolden- eves were seen about Sin-yale-a- 


min Lake at various times, and. one specimen was taken. On 
the little pond in the ravine to the southwest, a family ot 


—40— 


American golden-eye was found, and several specimens of 
the young were taken with the parent birds. [very little 
sheet of water, along whose margin cavities can be found in 
convenient trunks, seems to have its family of American golden- 
eye. This species appeared to be by far the most abundant 
of the summer ducks in the Flathead region. 

A common breeder at the north end of Flathead Lake, and 
on the adjacent ponds. Specimens were frequently taken, in 
June and in August. The numbers are increased by migrants 
toward the end of August. 


153. BUFFLE-HEAD, Charionetta albeola (Linn.) 


On July 30, 1901, a flock of young buffle-heads was noted at 
the head of Flathead Lake, and a specimen was taken for iden- 
tification. It is likely that broods are commonly reared along 
the lakeshore, as several families are regularly observed to 
appear on the lake at the appropriate season. 


172. CANADA GOOSE, Branta canadensis (Linn.) 


Abundant during the migration early in August, ap- 
pearing in flocks of ten to twenty on the sand-bars near 
the mouth of Flathead River. When approached by the ob- 
server, a flock will line up in single file along the shore before 
taking flight, and thus take wing while the observer is beyond 
shotgun range. 


190. AMERICAN BITTERN, Botaurus lentiginosus (Montag.) 


An American bittern was seen at nightfall on June 25, 1901, 
flying low over our camp at Post Creek. On July 16, 1901, a 
specimen of American bittern was taken in the reedy bog 


fringing Mud Lake. 


214. SORA, Porzana carolina (Linn.) 


The Sora occurs commonly on the reedy ponds and marshy 
areas of the lake shore. A pair inhabited a small weedy opening 
in the swampy woods between Swan River and Flathead River, 
and others were noted at Daphnia Pond. Specimens were 
taken at both places. 


—4I— 


223. NORTHERN PHALAROPE, Phalaropus lobatus (Linn.) 


Occurs regularly on the migrations at the north end of Flat- 
head Lake. A specimen was taken near the mouth of Swan 
River, August 27. It generally appears with the yellow-legs, 
swimming along the water’s edge somewhat beyond the depth 
of its companion, and feeding near it. 


230. WILSON’S SNIPE, Gallinago delicata (Ord.) 


This “Jacksnipe” is noted commonly near Flathead Lake. A 
specimen was taken on August 18, on the shore at the right 
of the mouth of Swan River. 


241. BAIRD’S SANDPIPER, Tringa bairdia (Coues ) 


Appears regularly along the lake shore about the middle of 
August, in flocks of fifteen to twenty, feeding along the water’s 
edgein restless, irregular movement, and taking flight simultane- 
ously upon sufficient alarm. In air the flock retains a close 
formation, sweeping low above the water, and generally flying 
some distance before alighting, if previously alarmed. 


248. SANDERLING, Calidris arenaria (Linn.) 


Regular migrant at the north end of Flathead Lake. Speci- 
mens were taken near the mouth of Swan River, August 29. It 
frequents the reedy shores, in company with the spotted sand- 
piper, Baird’s sandpiper, and other shore birds. 


254. GREATER YELLOW-LEGS, Totanus melanoleucus 
(Gmel.) 


Noted commonly on the pools of the Reservation, and along 
the creeks. A pair were taken on one of the pools when we 
crossed from Lake McDonald to Post Creek. Specimens were 
noted at Crow Creek, and also at the foot of Flathead Lake. 
Common near the mouth of Swan River, on the sand-bars near 
the boat landing, and also on the sandy shores between Swan 
River and Flathead River. 


255. YELLOW-LEGS, Totanus flavipes (Gmel.) 


Usually seen in company with T’otanus melanoleucus. Speci- 


—42— 


mens were taken on the pools of the Reservation. Common at 
the foot of Flathead Lake. Also common near the mouth of 
Swan River. 


256. SOLITARY SANDPIPER, Totanus solhtarvus (Wils.) 


This sandpiper was common on the Reservation, generally 
along the creeks. Specimens were taken on Crow Creek. In 
its habits it closely resembles the spotted sandpiper, though 
its larger size aids in distinguishing it from the latter. T'wo 
specimens were taken near the mouth of Swan River, August 8, 
and it was regularly noted in our daily lists. 


261. BARTRAMIAN SANDPIPER, Bartramia longicauda 
(Bechst.) 


The Bartramian sandpiper was found locally distributed over 
the Reservation, meadows near ranch-houses being the favored 
haunts. A family or small colony inhabited a meadow on Mr. 
Felsman’s ranch, near Sin-yale-a-min Lake, where a specimen 
was taken, June 21, 1901. On the same day a young Bar- 
tramian sandpiper, vet in downy plumage, was captured alive on 
the prairie between Post Creek and Mt. MacDonald. An- 
other pair of these birds was found on a ranch near the foot 
of Flathead Lake, and several miles up the Lake a small colony 
or family was noted, June 26. 


263. SPOTTED SANDPIPER, Actitis macularia (Linn.) 


Noted everywhere in the localities visited. Abundant as a 
summer resident along the north end of Flathead Lake. Nests 
were frequently found in June on the sand-bars. 


264. LONG-BILLED CURLEW, Numenius longirostris Wils. 


Young birds of this species were running about over the 
prairie when we crossed from Lake McDonald to Flathead 
Take. Several young of the year were taken. The curlew was 
common in the vicinity of Flathead Lake, near Polson, where 
flocks were forming on the prairies. 


2738:. KILLDEER, Aegiahtis. vocifera (Linn.) ._ 


The killdeer was common throughout the Reservation. Spec- 


imens were noted on the pools, and along the streams, as well 
as at Flathead Lake. 

Frequently observed near the boat landing, on the gravelly 
bars of Swan River. Specimens were taken on August 8, and 
regularly noted thereafter. 


289. BOB-WHITE, Colinus virginianus (Linn.) 


This fine game bird has been successfully introduced in the 
locality between Flathead Lake and Kalispell, where the varia- 
tions of meadow, grainfield, and brushy ravine are particular- 
ly suitable to the needs of the bob-white. His mellow whistle is 
delightfully gratifying to the ears of those who knew him in 
his native habitat, and we may hope that he will take kindly 
to his trans-mountain conditions. Friends of this partridge 
should see that he is permitted to adjust himself fully to his 
new environments and to multiply in peace, before he falls a 
prey to the desire to kill. No true sportman will molest the 
bob-white whose rich piping greets his ears, nor will he raise 
his destructive gun when a startled bird may whir away from 
the covert at his feet, until the numbers are sufficiently great 
to warrant the taking of an occasional bird. 


29%b. RICHARDSON’S GROUSE, Dendragapus obscurus 
richardson (Dougl.) 


This form of the sooty grouse was common in the vicinity 
of the Sin-yale-a-min Lake. Specimens were frequently taken. 
In a trip to the summit of Sin-yale-a-min Peak, on July 12, 
chicks about three days old were taken with the female, at 
an altitude of 7,000 feet. The chicks were easily caught with 
the hand. Several similar instances indicate that this 
grouse nests much later than is usually given in data re- 
garding its nidification, or that it is generally unfortunate in 
the issue of its earlier attempts. 

This grouse was common on the slopes leading up toward 
Mt. McDonald, and elsewhere on the bushy hillsides. Speci- 
mens were frequently taken. 

On June 23, a fine male Richardson’s grouse was taken on 
the eastern side of the ridge east of Daphnia Pond. He 
was feeding on the red berries growing in profusion on the 
hillside, having his crop full when taken. When disturbed, 
he strutted among the clumps of sprouts, spreading his large, 


fan-like black tail, and puffing out the naked air-sacs on the 
sides of his neck. He did not attempt to fly or to make any 
effort to escape. 

On August 16, a female Richardson’s grouse was taken on 
the same hillside. 


299. PRANKLIN’S GROUSE, Dendragapus  franklinir 
(Doug!].) 


Franklin’s grouse was common in the vicinity of Lake Me- 
Donald. A female with young about two weeks old was taken 
on Mt. McDonald at an altitude of 7,500 feet. Other speci- 
mens were taken near the lake. This grouse is the “fool hen” 
of popular reputation, by which name it is very generally 
known in this region. 


300b. GRAY RUFFED GROUSE, Bonasa umbellus wmbel- 
loides (Dougl.) 


The gray ruffed grouse was found as a common resident of 
the thickets near the lakes. At the time of our first observa- 
tions, females with young just beginning to fly were frequently 
flushed. When disturbed with her brood, the female some- 
times utters a strange hissing noise, and running at her dis- 
turber with inflated air-sacs and outspread wings, she pre- 
sents a very peculiar appearance. At such times, when she 
does not threaten the observer, she slinks among the bushes 
uttering a cat-like “meow”, which is a close counterpart of 
the characteristic feline cry. Toward the close of the warm 
July afternoons, these birds were most likely to be found near 
the water’s edge; at other hours of the day, they generally re- 
sorted to the clumps of small firs. 

Abundant in the swampy area between Swan River and 
Flathead River, where several broods were noted in June; also 
on the ridges east of the lake, where several families were 
found. By the first of August, young birds were taking 
to the trees and higher bushes when disturbed. 


308a. COLUMBIAN SHARP-TAILED GROUSE, Pedio- 
caetes phasianellus columbianus (Ord.) 


This grouse was observed in the meadows near Crow Creek, 
where it appeared to be common as elsewhere in the cultivated 


cemeed, Se mints 


bottoms of the state. Hillsides near water-courses, along which 
are hay meadows and erainfields, are the summer resorts of this 
fine gamebird of the Northwest. 

Abundant on the prairie between Flathead Lake and Kal- 
ispell. On Aug. 30, a large flock was seen beside the road 
a short distance beyond Holt. The open districts north of the 
lake form the regular resorts of this common gamebird, and 
every ranch doubtless has its flock of “chickens”. 


316. MOURNING DOVE, Zenaidura macroura (Linn.) 


The mourning dove is not uncommonly noted in the Reserva- 
tion, being “observed most generally near the water-courses. 
We listed several specimens at Crow Creek, though no others 
were seen until we reached the head of the lake, and there only 
sparingly. It is evidently nowhere abundant in this portion. of its 
range. Specimens were regularly noted along the road from 
the Station to Holt, near the margin of the swampy region 
between Swan River and Flathead River. 


331. MARSH HAWK, Circus hudsonius (Linn.) 


The marsh hawk is common along the foot of Flathead Lake. 
We did not note it elsewhere in the Reservation, though it is 
undoubtedly found at suitable localities along the water- 
courses. 


332, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, Accipiter velox (Wils.) 


This spirited little accipiter was found regularly near Mc- 
Donald Lake. On one occasion a specimen darting around a 
clump of dwarf trees nearly flew into my arms; seeing me, 
he quickly darted upward and tried to escape, but a fortunate 
shot brought him to earth. 

This hawk was found nesting in the swamp woods between 
Swan River and Flathead River, where a female was taken 
when. flushed from her nest, in which were four eggs, July 3. 
On August 16, a male sharp-shinned hawk was taken on the 
bushy ridge east of the road leading to Daphnia Pond. 


333. COOPER’S HAWK, Accipiter cooper (Bonap.) 


Cooper’s hawk was common along the cliff east of McDonald 
Lake. We frequently observed them feeding young, or heard 


the cries of the young as the elders brought supplies to their 
rocky eyries. Once we climbed about half way up the cliff 
toward a nest of young birds whose cries attracted us; but as 
we neared the site the elders quitted the place and the young 
birds ceased their cries, thus defeating our object of finding 
the nest. 

On August 14, a male Cooper’s hawk was taken on the road 
leading from the bridge up Swan River. Specimens were 
taken successively on August 22 and 23, on the ranch at. the 
right of the mouth of Swan River. This hawk was not noted 
during our observations in June. 


337 b. WESTERN RED-TAIL, Buteo borealis calurus(Cass.) 


This fine large hawk was found breeding along the eastern 
shore of McDonald Lake. One specimen was taken. 

A mutilated specimen of the western red-tail was found in 
the road through the woods leading to the point at the mouth 
of Swan River, August 22. It had probably been shot by one 
of the parties staying at the Club houses, and had fallen or 
been dragged there by one of the dogs scouring the woods 
for game. 


347a. AMERICAN ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, Archibuteo 
lagopus sancti-johannis (Gmel.) 


The American rough-legged hawk was commonly seen soar- 
ing overhead above the woods and hills east of the lower end 
of Flathead Lake. Several efforts were made to secure a speci- 
men, even to scaling the cliff in hopes of getting a shot, but the 
game was always beyond reach. 


349. GOLDEN EAGLE, Aquila chrysaetos (Linn.) 


The Mission Mountains and adjacent regions offer congenial 
resorts for the golden eagle. Frequently it was observed soaring 
over the ranges, but no specimen was taken, though effort was 
frequently made to get within range of one. A fine specimen 
was observed feeding on a carcass and it allowed us to ride 
within fair view of it, but departed before we were within ef- 
fective shotgun range. 


352. BALD EAGLE, Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Linn.) 
Though not noted by our party, the bald eagle was reported 


on Swan Lake near its head, by Mr. Leffingwell, who took a 
fine specimen there during our stay at the Station in the latter 
part of August. His accurate knowledge of this species war- 
rants the including of the bald eagle in this list upon his identi- 
fication. 


3860a. DESERT SPARROW HAWK, falco sparverious de- 
serticolus Mearns. 


This species did not appear to be as common near Sin-yale- 
a-min Lake as elsewhere in its usual range. We noted it oc- 
casionally in our daily lists. In our ascent of Mt. Sin-yale-a- 
min, this lttle faleon was seen at an altitude of 7,700 feet, 
pursued by five or six pine siskins. It was found regularly 
on. the hillsides, though not abundantly, but was common every- 
where over the prairies of the Reservation. 

The sparrow hawk was not uncommon in the vicinity of 
Lake McDonald. It was noted most frequently near the outlet 
of the lake, and along the cliff on the eastern shore. No speci- 
mens were taken here. A small butte near our camp at Crow 
Creek was used as a sort of watch tower by the sparrow hawks, 
and generally several would be flushed when we climbed to its 
rocky summit. 

Abundant on the ranches near Flathead Lake, preferring 
the edges of the woods. It resorts to rail fences, flying from 
one station to another ahead of the observer; or from a watch 
tower in the top of isolated trees in the meadows it scans the 
subjacent ground for venturesome mice, grasshoppers, crickets, 
and similar prey. 


364. AMERICAN OSPREY, Pandion halhaetus carolinensis 
(Gmel.) 


The osprey was noted only occasionally in our daily lists 
at Sin-yale-a-min Lake. It is likely that a pair of ospreys in- 
habited the ravine leading to the little pond, for the speci- 
mens we noted were generally seen in that locality. The lake 
did not appear to he frequented to any extent by the osprey, 
though it certainly afforded a generous supply of fish, which 
forms almost the entire bill of fare of this species. The inlet 
and outlet of the lake, which are stocked abundantly with 
trout, doubtless offer easier larders than the deeper waters of 
the lake. | 


sans Hp 


Common at Flathead Lake, especially near the mouth of 
Pend d’ Orielle River, Swan River, and Flathead River. A 
family had possession of a large nest at the top of a tall, 
naked stub near the river on the Helena Club grounds, (see 
Plate VIII.), and two specimens were taken from this family 
during our stay in August. The osprey was also found very 
commonly on Swan Lake, where we spent two days near the 
foot, August 20 and 21. 


366. AMERICAN LONG-EARED OWL, Asio wilsonianus 
(Less.) 


The long-eared owl, being more generally nocturnal in its 
habits than the other owls, is less frequently noted than others. 
Only one specimen was observed, which was in the dark swamp- 
woods of the Jocko River at Selish. 


3873 e. ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCREECH OWL, Megascops 
aslo maxwelliae (Ridgw.) 


A specimen of this screech owl was taken on Post Creek, 
where it was shot from our camp as it was perched in a dead 
tree beside the creek, having begun its nocturnal foraging soon 
after dusk. 


3875a. WESTERN HORNED OWL, Bubo virginianus sub- 
articus (Hoy.) 


This form of the great horned owl apears to be common in 
the parts of the Flathead region included in our itinerary. 
The dense woodland are peculiarly adapted to this powerful 
nocturnal marauder. It manifests its presence more particu- 
larly in the fall and winter months, when many specimens are 
captured by the ranchers. The only individual of this species 
we saw at McDonald Lake was taking an evening outing along 
the low shore near the outlet, resting occasionally on the sum- 
mit of some tall stub ere continuing his perambulations. 

The western horned owl was reported as common along Crow 
Creek, though we did not take any specimens. The abundance 
of food would imply its presence. For some reason the Raptores, 
which we expected to find at this station, seemed less common 
than usual. 


On June 22, a specimen was seen at Hstey’s Pond. On 
August 6, a fine specimen was brought to the Station by Mr. 
Estey, who reported the species very common on his ranch. 
No notes were made concerning its occurrence nearer the 
Station. 


390. BELTED KINGFISHER, Ceryle alcyon (Linn.) 


The belted kingfisher is a common resident in summer along 
the shore of Sin-vale-a-min Lake. No specimens were taken, 
but were easily accessible, and were noted in all our daily lists. 
The clear waters of the lake furnished this avian fisher very 
attractive accommodations. By measurement it was found that 
we could see objects to the depth of thirty-five feet, and the 
schools of minnows playing near the shore were easy prey for 
the kingfisher. However, the kingfisher is not always success- 
ful in its dashes for its finny victim; in my opinion it fails more 
frequently than it succeeds. It always seizes its prey with 
its bill, and frequently finds it necessary to thrash its victim 
against a stake or branch before it can stow the morsel away 
in its gullet. 

It was daily noted plying its vocation near the inlet of Lake 
McDonald. At the mouth of the inlet the fishing was par- 
ticularly fine, and the fact that the water from the ravine 
above the lake entered the reservoir by several small mouths 
rendered: the sport unusually excellent. It appeared that only 
one pair of kingfishers claimed the fishing rights of this lake 
No specimens were taken. 

The kingfisher was seen at all times near the Station, fre- 
quenting the banks of Swan River near its mouth, and es- 
pecially near the boat landing, where the shallower water afford- 
ed easier fishing grounds than the more turbulent flow 
of the river proper. This species was also found abundantly 
on Swan Lake, where we took several specimens while stand- 
ing in our camp at the foot of the lake. Though we had rea- 
son to believe that there were no fish in Daphnia Pond, and 
few in Estey’s Pond, the kingfisher was observed at both sta- 
tions, and we concluded that the numerous frogs along the 
margins of the ponds offered the avian fisherman easier prey 
than the sport at Swan River. 


—50-—— 


893d. CABANIS'SS WOODPECKER, Dryobates villosus hylo- 
scopus (Cab.) | 


This species or form of the hairy woodpecker is not un- 
common in the vicinity of Sin-yale-a-min Lake. Specimens 
were generally noted and one was taken. It is doubtless a per- - 
manent resident. 

A specimen was noted visiting the large pine trees at our 
Crow Creek camp. It was not included in our list for the 
foot of Flathead Lake. Doubtless regularly found in the tall 
trees of the water-courses. Specimens were frequently taken 
near the Station at Flathead Lake. 


394b. BATCHELDER’S WOODPECKER, Dryobates pube- 
scens oreoecus Batch. 


The downy woodpecker in this Rocky Mountain form did 
not appear to be common in the immediate vicinity of Sin- 
yale-a-min Lake. No specimens were taken, and those noted 
were more frequently heard than seen. More thorough exam- 
ination of the locality might disclose its presence in greater 
proportion than our notes indicate. It is common in the vicin- 
ity of the Biological Station. 


400. ARCTIC THREE-TOED WOODPECKER, Prcoides 
arcticus (Swains.) 


noted as commonly as the Alpine three-toed woodpecker. 
A specimen was taken at Swan Lake, August 3, 1901. 


401b. ALPINE THREE-TOED WOODPECKER, Picoides 
americanus dorsalis Baird. 


One specimen of this three-toed woodpecker, a young male, 
was taken in the woods north of the lake. The vigorous, 
deliberate, though intermittent tapping of this woodpecker is 
a pretty certain index of its presence near the observer; how- 
ever, the wary nature of the woodland carpenter leads him to 
desist when the collector approaches his station. This speci- 
men allowed me to walk past without my discovering him; 
but began his tapping immediately after my back was turned. 
Not uncommon near the mouth of Swan River. A specimen 
was taken in the woods east of the Club grounds, Aug. 16. 


<Smit y fe 


402a. RED-NAPEL SAPSUCKER, Sphyrapicus varius nu- 
chats Baird. 


On the day of our arrival at Sin-yale-a-min Lake, and on 
the following day, a pair of red-naped sapsuckers claimed quar- 
ters along the trail near our camp, and were frequently ob- 
served sporting on the tree-trunks, uttering their harsh calls 
as they flitted restlessly about their claimed domains. On 
the second day, a party of Indian campers stationed themselves 
near the plice, and used the trail for their racing and shoot- 
ing frolics. The sapsuckers disappeared, and we made no 
{urtl.er notes regirding the presence of this interesting species. 
Unlike other members of the woodpecker group, this sap- 
sucker {frequents the lower story of the woods, doubtless be- 
eause of its fondness for the sap-laden inner fibers of the 
bark which it finds nearer the bases of the trunks. Its nest- 
ing site is also much lower or nearer the ground than the av- 
erage of those of the other woodpeckers. 

It is common in the woodlands in the vicinity of Lake Mc- 
Donald. One specimen was taken, and it was regularly included 
in our daily lists. Its harsh, impatient call betokens its pres- 
ence In any neighborhood, its noisy ways being decidedly in 
contrast with those of the three-toed woodpecker. 

A pair of red-naped sapsuckers reared a brood in the weedy 
area in the swamp woods at the right of the mouth of Swan 
River, where specimens were frequently taken. Also frequently 
observed in the woods east of the Helena Club grounds. 
This species was apparently more frequently noted than either 
the Alpine three-toed woodpecker, Cabanis’s woodpecker, or 
Batchelder’s woodpecker, in the vicinity of the Station. 


405. PILEATED WOODPECKER, Ceophloeus pileatus (Linn.) 


The pileated woodpecker was not uncommon in the woods 
near the Station, and occasionally a specimen would even visit 
the Station grounds, uttering its loud flicker-like call from the 
top of one of the taller trees. On August 15 a specimen was 
taken in one of the trees on the western side of the grounds. 
This woodpecker was frequently heard in the swamp woods 
at the right of Swan River, and even more frequently in the 
Helena Club grounds at the left of the river. Two specimens 
were taken on August 27, in the woods west of the road lead- 
ing to Daphnia Pond. Both were tapping on medium-sized 


5 2-— 


trunks, at points about half way up the boles. The shooting 
we had done in the woods during the preceding three 
weeks did not appear to have had any effect in frightening 
away this wary woodpecker from the old landmarks. How- 
ever, the woodsman’s axe will doubtless hasten this undesirable 
outcome. 

This lordly inhabitant of the primeval woodlands is common 
in the vicinity of Sin-yale-a-min Lake. A pair had a home in 
the ravine leading westward from the lake. ‘heir favorite 
haunts were tall denuded pines and tamaracks, though they 
were not often seen near the summits of the boles, apparently 
preferring a middle station. Their loud, resounding tapping 
generally disclosed their presence, together with their loud, 
vibrant, flicker-like call. Our frequent shooting in the neigh- 
borhood and in the ravine where they made their head- 
quarters did not seem to disturb them, though when we tried 
to stalk them they managed to keep out of range, silently flap- 
ping away when we aproached, so that no specimens were taken 
at this camp. 

Likewise at McDonald Lake, after we had been in camp 
some days and had been shooting in the immediate neighbor- 
hood at all times during our stay, two specimens, an old female 
and a young male, were taken within a hundred yards of the 
camp. 


408. LEWIS'S WOODPECKER, Melanerpes torquatus (Wils.) 


This peculiar woodpecker was common in the woods near the 
outlet of Lake McDonald. It prefers the largest pines, from 
which it will fly out and capture an insect in air as expertly 
as a kingbird or other flycatcher, and return to its chosen sta- 
tion. There is a degree of wary secretiveness in its nature, 
however, for when an observer is near, it will remain silently 
lurking 1 in the top of the tree until the ae of the observer 
is likely to be exhausted. 

A pair were seen feeding young birds in a hole about fifty 
feet from the ground in a living pine, July 28, at Post Creek. 
This woodpecker was a common visitor to our camp at Crow 
Creek. We also noted it among the scrubby haw trees near 
our camp at the foot of Flathead Lake. 

On the day of our first arrival at the Station, June 14, 
Lewis’s woodpecker was a noticeable visitor to the Station 
grounds, and two specimens, which were making frequent sal- 


iies into the air from the tops of tall dead trees in quest of 
passing insects, were taken as a tribute to our curiosity in 
regard to this peculiar woodpecker. Upon our return to the 
Station, in the first week of August, Lewis’s woodpecker was 
abundantly represented by specimens along the road leading 
toward Holt, where they would sit on the rail fences like crows 
or robins, each sitting quite upright and bunched together like 
an owl a-perch. On August 16 a specimen was taken that had 
one inner toe missing, which had apparently been severed close 
to the place of insertion. Around Daphnia Pond this wood- 
pecker was also abundant, as well as at other stations in the 
neighborhood. 


413. RED-SHAFTED FLICKER, Colaptes cafer (Gmel.) 


This flicker is common everywhere in localities visited where 
trees of any size can be found. On one occasion at Sin-yale- 
a-min Lake, three red-shafted flickers were observed flirting and 
eoquetting at the top of a tall denuded stub. In our ascent 
of a ridge of Mt. McDonald, this flicker was noted at an alti- 
tude of 7,700 feet. It is the most common woodpecker in the 
vicinity of McDonald Lake. In the wooded localities in the 
open regions of the Reservation, the red-shafted flicker ap- 
pears to be less numerously represented than the Lewis wood- 
pecker. 


420a. WESTERN NIGHTHAWK, Chordeiles virginianus 
henryt (Cass.) 


The western nighthawk was not common at Sin-yale-a-min 
Lake, though specimens were noted occasionally in twilight 
flight. No specimens were taken. 

It was commonly seen flying about at nightfall at McDonald 
Lake. One specimen was taken as it was flying to and fro 
over the water at early dusk. 

Abundant in the vicinity of Crow Creek. A small butte near 
our camp was a favorite haunt of the nighthawk, and from 
its top we secured several specimens at nightfall. We also 
found it abundant at the foot of Flathead Lake, and at the 
upper end as well, where it was found breeding. 


433. RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, Selasphorus rufus (Gmel.) 


This hummingbird was a common visitor to our camp, and 
was noted regularly near the lakes. A female was taken while 
sitting on a naked branch near our tent, at McDonald Lake. 

Very common in the vicinity of the Station. On-the day of 
our arrival, a male rufous hummingbird was taken in the woods 
across the road from the Station, and others were noted. In 
the swampy woods between Swan and Flathead Rivers, this 
hummingbird was frequently observed darting at Traill’s and 
other flycatchers, and pursuing them angrily for short dis- 
tances, as though the latter were intruding upon its domains. 
Later in the season, August 11, a family was noted visiting the 
snowberry, a species of honeysuckle, and also feeding on the 
giant hyssop growing rankly beside the fences near the Station 
grounds. 


436. CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD, Stellula calliope Gould. 


The calliope hummingbird appeared to be common along the 
cliff east of McDonald Lake. It was noted particularly in the 
vicinity of the waterfalls that dashed from the crevices of the 
cliff, where it would alight within a few feet of the observer, 
sitting on some dead twig to preen its plumage or rest after 
a journey along the rocky wall. 

A family of calliope hummingbird was observed on the east- 
ern side of the ridge east of the Helena Club grounds. Both 
elders and young were darting about from bush to bush, 
and apparently had one or two chosen stations for perching, 
generally bare twigs projecting from the periphery of a maple 
clump. The male parent bird was shot, and I had turned from 
picking him up, when another of the family was seen perched 
upon the same twig. No other specimens of this humming- 
bird were noted near the Station. 


444, KINGBIRD, Tyrannus tyrannus (Linn.) 


Abundant in the willows of Flathead Lake shore at the north- 
ern end, and also near Daphnia Pond. Nests were observed in 
the early season. 

The kinghird was abundant along the streams of the reserva- 
tion, and also along the foot of Flathead Lake. Many pairs 
were yet feeding young birds in the nest. 

It was not observed at the smaller mountain lakes, 


—55-- 
44%, ARKANSAS KINGBIRD, Tyrannus verticalis Say. 


This noisy, handsome kingbird was abundant about the 
ranches of the Reservation. It is very noticeable in its move- 
ments and demonstrative in manners, having a short musical 
twitter which it utters generally upon alighting, accompanying 
the twitter with a fluttering or quivering movement of the 
wings. Like its congener the kingbird, it is very pugnacious 
in its disposition, chasing away the magpie or other invader of 
its domains. Its calls is vigorous in enunciation, resembling the 
syllable “ki”. We noted it at Post Creek, Crow Creek, and at 
the foot of Flathead Lake, at all of which places it was mani- 
festly prominent’ because of young birds lately upon the 
wing. The familiarity of this kingbird is measurably beyond 
that of Tyrannus tyrannus, as it will boldly establish itself in 
the midst of the busiest scenes. A pair had a nest on a cross- 
piece upon a telephone pole on Main Street in Missoula, on 
one of the busiest corners in the city. There the female would 
sit jauntily while people were hurrying along below her; and 
there the male would visit her with refreshing tid-bits regard- 
less of the evidences of activity around their chosen domain. 


459. OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, Contopus boreals 
(Swain.) 


First observed on July 11, 1901, on the ridge leading to Mac- 
Dougal Peak, at an altitude of 6,500 feet. A specimen was 
sitting in the bare top of a tall tree, uttering its harsh, quer- 
ulous call. Though not then taken, it was readily identified 
by the white flank-tufts which show prominently between the 
wings and back when the bird is at rest. On August 10, 1901, 
a specimen was taken in the woods at the base of MacDougal 
Peak. 


462. WESTERN WOOD PEWEE, Contopus richardsoni 
(Swains.) 


This interesting species was common on the hillsides near 
the shores of the mountain lakes. Its sharp call, 
though suggestive of the plaint of the wood pewee 
of eastern regions, is quite different from the far- 
away-sounding call of the latter, being uttered in a more 
impatient, garrulous manner. The western species appears to 


—56— 


prefer higher stations as its lookout, consequently seeking its 
food in a higher story of the forest than its eastern congener, 
and building its nest in sites higher in the trees. It generally 
chooses a station in a tall tree on a bare limb above the middle 
point, and there utters its sharp, querulous call, making oc- 
casional sallies into the air to capture passing insects. ‘Trees 
on bushy hillsides are its most favored resorts. 


466. TRAILL’S FLYCATCHER, Empidonazx traillit (Aud.) 


Common in the woods and bushy localities during. August. 
It was not observed during our first visit to the Station. ‘This 
flycatcher frequents a lower story than does the western wood 
pewee, being seldom observed higher than the middle of med- 
ium-sized trees, and usually preferring the clumps of maple and 
willow of fire-swept districts. It was most frequently noted 
in the woods between Swan River and Flathead River. Com- 
mon near McDonald Lake. 


469. WRIGHT’S FLYCATCHER, LHmpidonax wright 
Baird. 


No specimens of this little flycatcher were taken at Sin- 
yale-a-min Lake, but it appeared to be common on the hill- 
sides south of the lake, where there was an extended growth 
of bushes and younger trees. There it could doubtless be 
found nesting in the breeding season, though no nests of the 
season were noted. In fact, it seemed that few birds had nested 
near this lake, judging by the absence of nests for the year. 
I am of the opinion that the lake is used by the birds more as 
a place for occasional resort than as a breeding ground. 

Wright’s flycatcher was found nesting in bushy localities 
near the Station, generally inhabiting the clumps of maple 
sprouts in the edges of the heavier woods or on ridges where 
former fires had prostrated the taller growth and given place 
to bushes. Four nests were found during the June collecting, 
but this flycatcher was not observed during our visit to the 
same localities in August. 


474 ¢. DESERT HORNED LARK, Otocoris alpestris arenicola 
Hensh. 


This horned lark was abundant on the prairie regions of the 
Reservation, and is doubtless the prevailing form in summer. 


The pallid horned lark, Otocorts alpestris leucolaema (Coues), 
is probably the prevailing winter form in Montana. The desert 
horned lark was found regularly from the base of Mt. Mc- 
Donald to the shore of Flathead Lake, generally feeding along 
the roads, or flitting about in the vicinity of the pools. Most 
of the specimens taken were young of the year. 


475. AMERICAN MAGPIE, Pica pica hudsonica (Sab.) 


Abundant in the thickets of the foothills and along the 
streams; also in the dwarf trees along the shore of Flathead 
Lake. Many nests of the spring were noted, some high in the 
pines, though most of them were within reach without climb- 
ing, in dwarf haws and similar growth. 

The magpie was not listed at Sin-yale-a-min Lake, but it was 
noted at McDonald Lake. 


478 c. BLACK-HEADED JAY, Cyanocitta stellert annectens 
' Baird. 


This mountain form of Steller’s jay was quite common in the 
vicinity of Sin-yale-a-min and McDonald Lake. Such speci- 
mens as were wanted were taken, for they did not manifest a 
suspicious nature when the collector was near. All our speci- 
mens were in very poor plumage, undergoing the moult during 
our visit to the lake. 


484a. ROCKY MOUNTAIN JAY, Perisoreus cannadensis 
capitalis Ridgw. 


The Canada jay in its Rocky Mountain form did not seem 
to be common near our itinerary. One specimen was taken at 
Sin-yale-a-min Lake while lurking in a fir clump near where 
we were sitting, on the southern shore of the lake; its curiosity 
perhaps led it to betray its presence. No other notes were 
made regarding its occurrence. 


486. AMERICAN RAVEN, Corvus corax sinuatus (Wagl.) 


A family of this species had a home up the hillside on the 
western shore of McDonald Lake. The noisy croakings were 
heard throughout our visit, and the birds were frequently 


—5o— 


seen flying over the lake. Several unsuccessful attempts were 
made to secure specimens. The American raven appears to be 
generally distributed over the Flathead region. 

It was represented near the Station by a pair that frequented 
the swampy woods at the right of the mouth of Swan River. 
These were noted regularly when we visited the locality named, 
and frequent efforts were made to capture one, but the wary 
creatures invariably kept well beyond shotgun range, generally 
flying away with hoarse croakings to another part of their 
claimed domain when we entered the area anywhere near them. 


488. AMERICAN CROW, Corvus americanus Aud. 


Not listed at Sin-yale-a-min Lake, but noted frequently in 
the woods near the inlet of McDonald Lake. On one occasion 
four or five were observed in a group in the tree-tops at the 
upper end of McDonald Lake. 

It was regularly noted in our lists, both at Crow Creek and 
at the foot of Flathead Lake. It was most generally observed 
in the vicinity of the water-courses, where the fringing trees 
offered more congenial resorts than the bare prairies of the 
intermediate areas. 

The American crow occurs only occasionally near the Sta- 
tion. On June 30, one was seen flying over the station grounds. 
No other notes were made concerning its occurrence in the 
vicinity of the Station. 


491. CLARKE’S NUTCRACKER, WNucifraga columbiana 
(Wils.) 


No specimens of Clarke’s nutcracker were seen except in our 
ascent of the peak near Sin-yale-a-min Mountain, when the 
first nutcrackers were noted at an altitude of 4,700 feet; thence 
they were observed while we were in the timber, which ceased 
at an elevation of 7,700 feet, owing to the bare, rocky charac- 
ter of the ridge forming the higher regions of the mountain. 
The hillsides surrounding the lake are probably congenial re- 
sorts of the nutcracker, but as our observations were practi- 
cally confined to the immediate margins of the lake, no other 
record concerning this species was made. 


494. BOBOLINK, Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Linn.) 


A troop of bobolinks visited our camp at Crow Creek, doubt- 


less attracted by the shorn grainfields and meadows near the 
stream. Their metallic “clink” revealed their presence, and 
several specimens were taken. They are likely quite common in 
the creek bottoms in the fall migration. The bobolink of this 
region is now placed in the subspecies albinucha. 


495. COWBIRD, Molothrus ater (Bodd.) 


The cowbird was only occasionally noted in our lists, and 
then only at Crow Creek and the foot of Flathead Lake. One 
specimen, a young of the year, was taken at our camp at the 
outlet of Flathead Lake. This species seems to occur in smaller 
ratio in this region than might be fancied from knowledge of its 
wide distribution. 


498. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, Agelaius phoeniceus 
(Linn.) 

Common at suitable places near the head of Flathead Lake. 
It was found nesting in the reeds at Daphnia Pond, where a 
small colony had established itself. Very few specimens were 
seen near the pond in August. 


501b. WESTERN MEADOWLARK, Sturnella magna neg- 
lecta (Aud.) 
This meadowlark was abundant in the prairie regions, es- 
pecially in the neighborhood of the ranches and water-courses, 
everywhere from the foothills to the shore of Flathead Lake. 


It was most abundant near the stubble fields in the vicinity of 
the lake. 


508. BULLOCK’S ORIOLE, Icterus bullocki (Swains.) 


We found Bullock’s oriole common in the groves at the foot 
of Flathead Lake. Nests of the year were observed, and sev- 
eral specimens of adult birds were taken. 


510. BREWER’S BLACKBIRD, Scolecophagus cyanocephalus 
(Wagl.) 


Abundant everywhere in the vicinity of the ranches and 


60s 


water-courses. [locks were forming for summer feeding and 
fall migration, and were much in evidence near the lake shore. 


514a. WESTERN EVENING GROSBEAK, Coccothrausies 
vespertinus montanus (Ridgw.) 


Comparatively common in the vicinity of Swan River and 
Flathead River, in the swampy woods. Specimens were seen 
and heard every day during our visit in June, and it is very 
probable that it nests in the locality, though no evidence of such 
nesting was observed. Specimens were frequently taken, both 
in June and in August. The fruit ranches in the vicinity of 
the woods mentioned appear to offer unusual attractions to the 
birds of the neighborhood; our first specimen of this gros- 
beak was taken as it was being allured by the store of rasp- 
berries at hand. The call of this species is closely imitative of 
that of a young chicken; if intensified and greatly increased in 
volume it would resemble the ery of the osprey. 

This handsome bird was common along Crow Creek, where 
a specimen was taken immediately upon our arrival, before 
our camp was established. The tall pines in the neighborhood 
were regular stations for this grosbeak, and frequently a troop 
of six or eight would take possession of a treetop and chirp 
cheerily for a few minutes. It is not likely that the grosbeak 
is found far from the streamsides in the prairie region of the 
Reservation, as trees and thickets are its usual resorts. 


518. CASSIN’S PURPLE FINCH, Carpodacus cassini Baird. 


This purple finch does not appear to be common in the Flat- 
head Lake region. A male was taken at Swan Lake on Au- 
gust 3, 1901. It was resorting to the grounds around an un- 
occupied cabin, associating with pine siskins in gleaning from 
the dooryard. Only one specimen was seen. 


521. AMERICAN CROSSBILL, JLozia curvirostra minor 
(Brehm ) 


Along the immediate shore of Sin-yale-a-min Lake, the cross- 
bills were not often noted; but around the pond mentioned 
as being southeast of the lake, the American crossbills were 
abundant, frequenting the tops of the tall trees in small flocks, 


Pita ae 


CeO i 


and announcing their presence by their sharp chirps. Both 
adult specimens and young of the year were taken, always from 
the summits of the loftiest trees. 

The American crossbill was regularly noted at Crow Creek 
and at the foot of Flathead Lake. Like the evening grosbeak, 
it is partial to the streamsides in the prairie regions, moving 
restlessly from place to place in troops of small numbers, and 
chirping merrily from the treetops. 

It is common in the vicinity of the Station, frequenting the 
tops of the tall trees in small flocks, uttering short, sharp me- 
tallic chirps. It generally associates with the pine siskin and 
other frequenters of the upper story of the woods. It is rep- 
resented more numerously in the fall, and during the latter 
part of August we found it abundant in the neighborhood of 
Daphnia Pond and Estey’s Pond, moving about capriciously 
from one treetop to another and chattering its enjoyment in 
the liberty of its wildwood domain. 


5338. PINE SISKIN, Spinus pinus (Wils.) 


The pine siskin was commonly seen in the tops of the tallest 
trees, though at Sin-yale-a-min Lake and McDonald Lake it 
is more generally heard passing overhead, uttering its goldfinch- 
hike call, or chirping vigorously to its fellows. It is a social 
creature, and its familiarity will lead it to alight in the midst 
of the camp to glean refuse from the tables. The only speci- 
men taken at Sin-yale-a-min Lake was shot in camp while it 
was picking up morsels of food near the cooking-tent. 

This animated resident of the higher woodlands was abun- 
dant near the Station. During our visit in June, the pine 
siskin was one of the most noticeable birds of the neighbor- 
hood, flitting in sportive enjoyment among the treetops, and 
uttering a loud sibilant chirping as it bounded from tree to 
tree. Frequently specimens visited our camp and alighted at 
the door of our tent, to glean from the refuse of the table, 
manifesting all the familiarity of the chipping sparrow. One 
evening about sunset, while I was exploring the woods on the 
Helena Club grounds, a nest in the top of a small fir tree 
caught my attention. Giving the tree a vigorous shake to alarm 
any occupant of the nest, I was surprised to see a brood or 
flock of pine siskins, five or six in number, flutter out of the 
nest and away from the neighborhood, chattering with lively 
scolding at being thus rudely routed from their home. 


BAD Gy a 


The pine siskin is commoner up the mountain slopes than 
near the lake shore. We noted it at all elevations up to 9,200 
feet. Its call is so much like the plaintive “pee” of the gold- 
finch, which it also closely resembles in appearance except when 
the latter is in nuptial plumage, that one unacquainted with 
the pine siskin might fail to notice it as a different species. 
The young of the year appear to show brighter yellow in their 
plumage than the elders, which further adds to its likeness to 
the goldfinch. 

In August the pine siskins were observed clinging to the 
heads of the giant hyssop, which grew extensively along the 
roadsides near the Station. A small flock would thus congre- 
gate in a patch of the hyssop, feeding from the heads in the 
manner of goldfinches, the resemblance being increased by the 
bright colors of some of the young of the year and by the gold- 
finch-like chirps of the pine siskins. The horse mint, Monarda 
fistulosa, was also a favorite food of this species. 


540a. WESTERN VESPER SPARROW, Poocaetes gramineus 
confinis Baird. 


This vesper sparrow occurs abundantly throughout the prairie 
regions of the Reservation. -It frequents the grainfields and 
margins of the ranches in numbers, and is especially noticeable 
near the lake shore, where it visits the water’s edge to refresh 
itself from the heat of the summer afternoons. Near the lake 
it appeared to be almost as numerous as Brewer’s blackbird, 
at the time of our visit. 


546a. WESTERN GRASSHOPPER SPARROW, Ammod- 
ramus savannarum perpallidus (Coues.) 


This sparrow was found to be common on the prairie local- 
ities of the Reservation, and several specimens were taken for 
identification. The males would frequently sit on a post of the 
rail fences and utter their queer songs, and also emit a sharp 
stridulating chirp or call, scarcely regarding our presence. 


560a. WESTERN CHIPPING SPARROW, Spizella socialis 
arizonae Ooues. 


The western chipping sparrow was found abundantly every- 
where throughout our travels in the Flathead Reservation. 


—63— 


Everywhere we found it the same unsuspecting, social character, 
industriously caring for the wants of its younglings. It pre- 
fers the bushes and smaller trees for its resorts, and lke the 
pine siskin, will frequently enter the camp in quest of morsels 
of food. 

On August 24, the chipping sparrow was noted in flocks of 
twenty-five to thirty, near the borders ‘of the ranches in the 
vicinity of the Station, probably preparatory to migration. 


567b. SHUFELDT’S JUNCO, Junco hyemals  shufeldtr 
: Coale. 


This mountain form of the slate-colored junco is abundant 
in the vicinity of Sin-yale-a-min Lake and on Mt. McDonald 
to an altitude of 7,500 feet. It undoubtedly breeds in the 
neighborhood, as several specimens were taken while carrying 
food evidently for young birds. On one occasion the writer 
was convinced of the existence of a nest of this junco near a 
fallen log and adjacent brush, and searched closely for it, but 
was unable to discover it. The rattling ditty of the junco 
was heard regularly in the woods near Sin-yale-a-min Lake, a 
performance quite similar to that of the chipping sparrow, 
though uttered with more force and less rapid enunciation. 

The junco is common on the wooded ridges near the Sta- 
tion, and undoubtedly breeds there. On June 20, a female was 
observed carrying food, and chirping anxiously at our presence, 
as if she had a nest or dependent young in the immediate 
neighborhood, but search for the nest was unavailing. 


581b. MOUNTAIN SONG SPARROW, Melospiza fasciata 
montana Hensh. 


Common along the margins of Crow Creek. It was still in 
song, in accordance with its usual habit of singing throughout 
its entire summer residence. Several specimens were taken 
in the coverts near the water. The song sparrow was not noted 
at the foot of Flathead Lake, nor at the other lakes in the 
Mission Range. 

The song sparrow was common in the brushy borders of the 
lake near the Station; also in the shrubbery along Daphnia 
Pond. Its melodious cadenzas were regularly heard in suitable 
surroundings, and specimens were frequently taken. 


—64— 


583. LINCOLN’S SPARROW, Melospiza lincoln (Aud.) 


This sparrow was not infrequently noted near the Station. 
A specimen was taken on July 3, from a troop of three flitting 
among the bushes along the road bordering the Station grounds. 


584. SWAMP SPARROW, Melospiza georgiana (Lath.) 


Though far to the westward of its regular range, a specimen 
was taken on August 11, in the bushes along the road border- 
ing the Station grounds, that seemed to be no other than an 
undoubted swamp sparrow. It was in company with several 
other sparrows, apparently of the same species, but only one 
was secured. If the identification is correct, it will perhaps 
establish a record for the western range of the species. 


585¢e SLATE-COLORED SPARROW, Passerella ilaca 
schistacea (Baird.) 


This sparrow was found at our camp near Echo Lake, on 
July 12, where the loud, clear song of the males was heard in 
the vicinity of a small slough. Later a male yet in song was 
seen feeding young, and on the following morning a singing 
male was taken in the bushes bordering a small stream flow- 
ing through the slough. The slate-colored sparrow was not 
heard or seen elsewhere on our itinerary. 


588. ARCTIC TOWHEE, Pipilo maculatus arcticus (Swains.) 


Not uncommon near the Station in the shrubbery of the 
hillsides surrounding the ponds. It was noted regularly in the 
vicinity of Daphnia Pond, but was not observed generally in 
our collecting near the Station. 

This towhee was common in the bushes of the mountain- 
sides in the vicinity of McDonald Lake. Specimens of adults 
and young in first plumage were taken. 


596. BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, Habia melanocephala 
| (Swains.) 
No specimens of the black-headed grosbeak were taken or 


noted along the shore of Sin-yale-a-min Lake, but this species 
appeared to be common in the vicinity of the pond southeast of 


—65— 


the lake, and there its rich notes could be heard in the warm 
July afternoons. On our visits to the pond we always ob- 
served it in the higher trees, though elsewhere it manifests a 
. preference for the smaller and dwarf trees. However, when 
away from the immediate vicinity of its nest, it generally 
rises to a higher level to enunciate its song or to glean for its 
insect fare. We found it still in song at McDonald Lake. 

Its singing was one of the enjoyable features of the swamp 
woods during our June visit to the Station, and upon our re- 
turn in August it still regaled us with its melody as late as 
the 12th. The song is almost an exact counterpart of the rich 
performance of the rose-breasted grosbeak, which the black- 
headed grosheak also greatly resembles in habits. Several 
nests were found in June. 


599. LAZULI BUNTING, Passerina amoena (Say.) 


Common in the shrubbery of the bushy hillsides and ridges. 
It was found nesting in June. Its song is very much like that 
of its congener, the indigo bunting, so that a person familiar 
with the eastern species will readily recognize the lazuli bunting 
by the likeness of its musical performance to that of its relative. 


607. LOUISIANA TANAGER, Piranga ludoviciana (Wils.) 


The Louisiana tanager is one of the commonest birds of the 
vicinity of Sin-yale-a-min and McDonald Lakes. It was seen 
and heard daily in our observations, and such specimens as were 
needed were taken. Its chirping whistle is a familiar feature 
of the evergreen woods, and its brilliant livery is in noticeable 
contrast to the sombre regions it inhabits. 

Tt is abundant everywhere in the woods near the Station. 
Its song so closely resembles that of the robin that the differ- 
ence is not readily detected except when both are performing 
within hearing. I[t breeds regularly in the neighborhood, nest- 
ing in June. In August the Louisiana tanager was observed 
feeding on the raspberries of the fruit ranches near the Station. 
On August 20 we noted that the tanager was no longer ob- 
served in our daily collecting, and it is likely that it departs 
rather early for its southern winter-quarters. 


OG 


612.. CLIFF SWALLOW, Petrochelidon lunifrons (Say.) 


This swallow was regularly noted near the creeks, where ranch 
buildings furnished it sites for its bottle-shaped mud homes. 
At the foot of Flathead Lake it was represented by a colony at 
Polson, and specimens were a-wing at all hours of the day, 
coursing over the meadows near the shore and above the haw 
groves in quest of the insects that swarmed the trees and rip- 
ened fruit. 


618. BARN SWALLOW, Chelidon erythrogastra (Bodd.) 


Small colonies of the barn swallow were noted at St. Ignatius, 
Ronan, and other settlements of the Reservation. 


614. TREE SWALLOW, Tachycineta bicolor (Vieill.) 


Small colonies of the tree swallow are found at. suitable local- 
ities at Polson and near the Station. Valleys between hill- 
sides denuded by former fires, where tall boles and bare spires 
are standing, are generally inhabited by this swallow, as well 
as the margins of ponds where naked dead trees are found. 
It was found nesting at the Cedar Islands, in McGovern’s Bay, 
in cavities of the decaying cedars. 


616. BANK SWALLOW, Clivicola riparia (Linn.) 


The bank swallow was regularly noted at suitable places in 
our travels through the Reservation, mingling with the cliff 
swallow in aerial evolutions above the meadows and the water 
in about equal numbers. It was observed at Crow Creek and 
also at the foot of Flathead Lake. 

This swallow breeds regularly in the vicinity of the Station, 
and the graceful aerial movements of the bird a-wing gener- 
ally called attention to the presence of the species in the neigh- 
borhood. Specimens were regularly seen near the buildings of 
ranches, and near a house the only bank swallow taken, for 
positive identification, was shot as it flitted over the road with 
others in its restless pursuit of food and pleasure. 


619. CEDAR WAXWING, Ampelis cedrorum (Vieill.) 


This handsome bird, though lacking the power of song by 
which many of our avian friends call attention to their pres- 


) 


—-07—~ 


ence, was seen and noted in all our daily lists. Near the pond 
in the vicinity of Sin-yale-a-min Lake, this waxwing was very 
common, for above the stagnant water it found the hovering 
insects that furnished it a plentiful larder. Though the cedar 
waxwing has only the well-known lisping note with which to ex- 
press all the scale of its avian emotions, it can vary its utterances 
of this feeble call to a considerable degree, even to such an 
extent that it sounds like another note. 

The species was abundant in occurrence at the Crow Creek 
station and at the foot of Flathead Lake. At the latter place 
it was resorting to the haw thickets, where it feasted on the 
swarming insects, catching them among the branches in true 
warbler-lke manner, and lisping its pleasure in the bounteous 
banquet spread for it by Mother Nature. 

The cedar waxwing was found nesting in June at the Cedar 
Islands and in the woods adjacent to the Station grounds. At 
times it alights on oblique stems of low bushes, flies outward 
to capture passing insects, and returns to a similar station, 
acting greatly lke a small flycatcher such as Traill’s. On 
August 18 a cedar waxwing was taken which had the bill de- 
stroyed except the bases, as though the mandibles had been 
amputated while the bird was yet in the nest. The waxwing 
is very fond of black haw berries; it will generally swallow two 
or three berries, and then fly away with another in its bill. 
Between August 22 and 27, a medium-sized haw tree heavily 
laden with fruit was completely stripped by the waxwing, with 
the assistance of a half dozen western robins. Later in August 
the cedar waxwing was observed feeding on elder berries. 


~ 


624. RED-EYED VIREO, Vireo olwwaceus (Linn.) 


Everywhere in our travels we noted the red-eyed vireo as 
quite common. Regularly we heard its emphatic monitorial 
song, and caught frequent glimpses of the performer as he 
zleaned industriously among the foliage near the branches 
which supported him. During our stay at Sin-yale-a-min Lake, 
the young vireos recently from the nest were claiming the at- 
tention of the parent birds, and upon hearing the harsh “gay” 
of the elder, we knew that one or more youngsters were crouched 
in the foliage nearby waiting for some dainty tidbit from the 
fond parent. This vireo breeds abundantly in the vicinity of 
the Station. 


aes 3 ae 


62%. WARBLING VIREO, Vireo gilvus (Vieill.) 


The warbling vireo was found regularly in all localities under 
consideration. Like the red-eyed vireo, it breeds abundantly 
in the Flathead region. The charming song of this vireo, 
which is not interrupted until the author takes its departure 
for its winter home, enlivened the bushy woods near the lake, 
and frequently regaled the ear of the collector when all other 
songs had been hushed by the mid-afternoon heat. It is inter- 
esting to watch this songster as it warbles forth its ditty while 
engaged earnestly in seeking its insect food, seldom lifting 
its head from its task, singing as it works. 


652. YELLOW WARBLER Dendroica aestiva (Gmel.) 


The yellow warbler was found abundantly in the haw thickets 
at the lower end of Flathead Lake, where its song was still 
heard, and its movements observed as it flashed among the 
branches in its active pursuit of insect fare. We also noted its 
common occurrence at Crow Creek, in the thickets fringing the 
streamside. 

It is abundant in the swamp woods between Swan River and 
Flathead River, nesting regularly in the breeding season. 


656. AUDUBON’S WARBLER, Dendroica audubon (Towns.) 


This handsome warbler was found to be common in the region 
under consideration. ‘The clear, ringing songs of the males 
were regularly heard in the earlier part of the season, uttered 
from the middle and upper stories of the taller evergreens. 
It was observed on the sides of Mt. MeDonald to 7,500 feet 
elevation. | 

Common everywhere near the Station in the higher woods, 
and nesting regularly in the earlier season. Very common in 
the woods in middle August, when the fall migration probably 
begins. In a day’s collecting at Estey’s Pond, August 27, the 
most active bird of the surrounding woodland was Audubon’s 
warbler, and several specimens of adults and young of the 
vear were taken by accident beyond what we needed, from diffi- 
culty in identifying them in the tall trees which they generally 
prefer. 


ee 6ges 


668. TOWNSEND'S WARBLER, Dendroica townsends 
| (Towns.) 


Whenever we entered a particular clump of small firs and 
bushes at Sin-yale-a-min Lake, a Townsend’s warbler would 
appear and manifest great anxiety by chirping in nearby shrub- 
bery. The place was searched repeatedly for evidences of nest- 
ing, but without avail. It is hkely that the parent bird was 
feeding a youngster in the thicket, for before the end of our 
stay in the neighborhood the warbler had disappeared. We 
noted one or two other instances of the occurrence of this 
warbler at this camp. 

Townsend’s warbler was noted only occasionally in our col- 
lecting at the head of Flathead Lake. A specimen was taken 
August 6, on the Helena Club grounds, opposite the Station 
across the river, and an occasional note made thereafter re- 
garding its presence in the woods in the neighborhood. It 
was generally observed in a lower story of the woodland than 
Audubon’s warbler, frequenting about the same level as the 
smaller flycatchers or the yellow warbler. 


680. MACGILLIVRAY’S WARBLER, Geothlypis macgilh- 
vray (Aud.) 


Not uncommon near the Station, where it was found breed- 
ing in June, though only one nest was noted. Specimens were 
taken frequently in the woods during our August collecting. 
This warbler is a bird of the bushes, like the yellow-throat, but 
prefers bushes in low woodland to bushes near water. It was 
frequently noted in our lists at Sin-yale-a-min Lake; and a 
family just from the nest was found at McDonald Lake. 


68la. WESTERN YELLOW-THROAT, Geothlypis trichas 
occidentalis Brewst. 


This yellow-throat was not uncommon in the bushes along 
Crow Creek, where its song was heard and specimens were 
taken. It was also frequently noted in the shrubbery near our 
camp at the foot of Flathead Lake, bordering the haw thickets. 

Common in the bushes and weeds of Daphnia Pond, where 
it undoubtedly breeds, as it was regularly noted there both 
during June and August. It was also frequently observed in 
the bushes near the hoat landing, in August. 


=O 


6838a. LONG-TAILED CHAT, Icteria virens longicauda ' 
(Lawr.) 


This western form of the chat was abundant in the bushy 
localities near the Jocko River at Selish. Apparently the nest- 
ing season was just beginning, June 16, as the males were in 
full song and persistently voluble; but though the bushes were 
thoroughly searched, nothing was found but structures in the 
first stages of erection. 


685. WILSON’S WARBLER, Sylvania pusilla (Wils.) 


This warbler, regularly making its summer home north of 
the United States, sometimes lingers in the Rocky Mountain 
regions along its northward course, and rears its brood within 
our borders. One note was made of its occurrence along our 
itinerary, where it was found nesting at McDonald Lake, June 
24, 1901. 


687. AMERICAN REDSTART, Setophaga ruticilla (Linn.) 


Abundant in ail suitable localities near the Station. In June 
it was found nesting in numbers in the swamp woods be- 
tween Swan River and Flathead River. Not frequently ob- 
served in the higher woods. Its songs were heard until the 
middle of August. 

This species occurs commonly in the trees and shrubbery 
along the streamsides. We found it abundant at the foot 
of Flathead Lake, frequenting the haw groves and willows. 


701. AMERICAN DIPPER, Cinclus mexicanus Swains. 


Along the dashing waters of the falls above Sin-yale-a-min 
Lake the American dipper finds a congenial home. Its dark 
gray attire is quite in harmony with the rocks upon which it 
stands in the midst of the roaring rapids, as well as the sombre 
hght of the thick forests which surround its chosen domains. 
Though we searched diligently among the rocks along the 
falls, we were unable to find a nest. The American diper was 
also observed along the outlet of the lake, where the little 
stream dashes among the boulders on its way down the ravine. 
We also noted it at the outlet of Lake McDonald. 

The American dipper occurs not uncommonly along Swan 
River, between the head of the rapids and the mouth. Very 
likely breeds, as it was observed both in June and August. 


af vel 


704. CATBIRD, Galeoscoptes carolinensis (Linn.) 


We found several families of the catbird near our camp at 
Crow Creek, one nest containing three helpless young and an 
infertile egg. The low crooning of the catbird was frequently 
heard in the thickets, and occasionally the louder recitals at 
daybreak. At our camp near Polson we found it to be one of 
the common visitors to the haw thickets, and it is very proba- 
ble that nests were in the adjacent shrubbery. 

Regular summer residents near the Station. Nests were 
found on the Helena Club grounds and in the shrubbery bor- 
dering Daphnia Pond. No notes were made concerning its 
occurrence in August. 


721b. WESTERN HOUSE WREN, T'roglodytes aedon aztecus 
Baird. 


Not uncommon on bushy hillsides near the Station. It was 
regularly noted in June, and notes were made regarding its 
presence in August. 


715. ROCK WREN, Salpinctes obsoletus (Say.) 


The rock wren was regularly noted at Selish, where it in- 
habited the rocky mountain-side east of the Jocko River bot- 
tom. No specimen was taken. 


722. WINTER WREN, Troglodytes hmemals Vieill. 


The dark shades of the arbor vitae forest at the head of Sin- 
yale-a-min Lake, through which the inlet dashes in its tortuous 
course, is peculiarly suitable to the desires of the winter wren. 
There is whiles away its hours in happy content, pouring forth 
with astonishing persistency its little roundelay of song, and 
whirring from one side of the stream to the other at fancy’s 
impulse. As in the case with the American dipper, we searched 
for a nest of this diminutive songster of the brookside. With 
equal result we tried to secure a specimen without its falling 
into the hurrying water. There is no doubt, however, that 
the winter wren is a regular summer resident at this place, 
rearing its young undisturbed by wandering collectors, and 
making melody unheard except by occasional visitors to the 


falls. 


—72— 


Noted regularly in the thick woods along the inlet and outlet 
of Lake McDonald. It was still in song. As at Sin-yale-a-min, 
we were unable to secure a specimen without destroying or 
losing it in the hurrying water. This diminutive hermit of the 
arbor vitae forest is wonderfully expert in dodging observa- 
tion, whisking in and out of the observer's view with provoking 
restlessness, and generally perching upon branches extending 
over the water. 


726b. ROCKY MOUNTAIN CREEPER, Certhia familvaris 
montana Ridgw. 

The Rocky Mountain creeper was not uncommon in the 

woods near our various camps. It occasionally visited the ad- 

jacent trees, and was generally noted in our daily lists. Spec- 


imens were frequently taken on the grounds of the Biological 
Station. 


W2%a. SLENDER-BILLED NUTHATCH, Sitta carolinensis 
aculeata (Cass.) 


Common in the vicinity of the lakes and water-courses. Like 
the creeper, it frequently manifested its presence near our 
camp by its weak, penny-trumpet call. 


728. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, Sitta canadensis Linn. 


Quite common in the woods near the Station. On the first 
day of our return to the Station, a specimen of this nuthatch 
was taken on the Club grounds. We also noted its occurrence 
at Hstey’s Pond, and in all suitable localities included in our 
August collecting. 


735 a. LONG-TAILED CHICKADEE, Parus atricapillus 
septentrionalis (Harris.) | 


Common throughout the Flathead region. 


738. MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE, Parus gambeli Ridgw. 


This handsome chickadee is doubtless a common resident of 
the mountainous regions in the vicinity of Flathead Lake, but 


it was not noted by us until Aug. 11, 1901, when a specimen was 
observed on MacDougal Peak, at an altitude of 6,500 feet. No 
other note was made regarding its occurrence. 


748. GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, Regulus satrapa 
Licht. 

The golden-crowned kinglet was rather common in the moun- 
tainous woodlands of our itinerary, and undoubtedly breeds 
here, as it was noted regularly in the middle of June, always 
active in the tops of medium-sized evergreens and birches. 


749. RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, Regulus  calendula 
(Linn.) | 

This diminutive inhabitant of the evergreen foliage was not 
uncommon in the wooded mountains. It was noted at Hcho 
Lake, near MacDougal Peak, in the middle of July, several 
individuals generally associating in restless movements as they 
foraged among the trees fringing the water. One specimen was 
taken. 


754. TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRE, Myadestes townsendu 
(Aud.) 

A young of the year of this species was taken on the cliff 
at the lower end of McDonald Lake. The female parent bird 
was observed at the same time, but she was not secured. No 
other specimens of Townsend’s solitaire were noted, but its 
calls were often heard near our camp. 


756a. WILLOW THRUSH, Turdus fuscescens salicicola 
(Ridgw.) 

One nest was found in June, in the willow swamp between 
the two rivers. The female was taken with the nest. No other 
specimens were taken, or other notes made concerning its oc- 
currence. Later it was found to be not uncommon in the willow 
swamp-woods. 


758 a. OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH, Turdus ustulatus swain- 
soni (Cab.) 


This thrush is common in the region near Sin- 


yale-a-min and McDonald Lakes. It did not appear 
to be nesting as commonly elsewhere as at Flat- 
head Lake, as no nests of the season were found. 
However, a nest was found along the trail beside Sin-yale-a-min 
Falls, on a horizontal branch directly above the head within 
reach of the hand, containing two eggs, July 11. The notes 
of the olive-backed thrush were regular features of the woods | 
during our stay at Sin-yale-a-min. 

Abundant in all localities near the Station, and breeding in 
numbers in June. Probably disappears from the neighborhood. 
about the middle of August, as our last notes regarding its 
presence were made on August 9. 


T6la. WESTERN ROBIN, Merula migratoria propinqua 
Ridgw. 


We did not find the robin as common near Sin-yale-a-min 
Lake as might be fancied. With the exception of one family on 
the northern shore of the lake, we did not note the occurrence 
of this species. In this instance, the parents were feeding 
young still in the nest. 

A nest was found on the cliff-side east of McDonald Lake in 
a clump of maple, with three eggs. The robin was observed 
visiting the water falls in the face of the cliff, to bathe and 
drink. 

Abundant in the vicinity of the Station as a summer resident. 
In the second week of August, the robin was observed in small 
flocks of ten to twelve. During the last week of August, the 
robin was feeding greedily on the black haws, associating with 
the cedar waxwing at the plenteous banquet. 


768. MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD, Si%alia arctica Swains. 


Not common, but occasionally observed and noted in our lists. 
A specimen was taken on Mt. McDonald at an elevation of 
7,500 feet. 


SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION 


Of the one hundred twenty-eight species included in the 
foregoing list, it is probable that at least eight are fall mi- 
grants, breeding in the far north and entering the United 
States early toward the close of summer. It is likely that the 
remaining one hundred twenty species breed in the Flathead 
Lake region or near the northern border of the state. At 
least thirty of the birds listed are permanent residents of the 
region; the others are summer residents only, spending the 
colder months in more southern localities. 

In this connection it may not be amiss to make a brief 
statement of facts, gathered from the preceding notes, which 
are considered as worthy of special emphasis. The long-tailed 
chat, Icteria virens longicauda, according to the A. O. U. 
Check List of North American Birds, ranges north to southern 
Montana; our observations continue the northward range 
of this chat to beyond the middle line of the state, as we 
found it common at Selish in the middle of June. The note 
relating to the occurrence of the swamp sparrow, Melospiza 
georgiana, may require revision, as the specimen passed from 
the bands of the collector, who was unable to obtain author. 
itative identification; the skin is now in the University collec- 
tion, and will receive careful attention in due time. The same 
statement applies to the specimen labeled western gull, Larus 
occidentalis, as there is a doubt regarding its identification. 
If authentic, it may denote an unusual eastern range for this 
gull 

The abundance of the western evening grosbeak in the vicin- 
ity of the Biological Station should be remarked. From the 
middle of July the characteristic chirp of this grosbeak was 
especially noticeable, and at that time parent birds were gen- 
erally observed feeding young of the year in the trees near the 
station. ‘There is no doubt that this grosbeak breeds plenti- 
fully in the neighborhood, and I am of the opinion that it 
nests later than is generally supposed, thus causing its nest- 
ing to be frequently overlooked. 

In conclusion, the writer desires to thank the Director of 
the University of Montana Biological Station, Prof. M. J. 
Klrod for the excellent facilities afforded and the opportunity 
of a thorough study of the summer birds of the region under 
consideration; also to thank the President of the University of 
Montana, Dr. O. J. Craig, for the neat and artistic manner 
in which this report is presented for public distribution. 


Accipiter 
COOPETINE, Ort sta ota Ema Ga AO eS 45, 
VL ORE Ee el te pide gees RPGS e Came we deere ete Cone BEd o> 
ACUTE MnACUlaTIa 2 ants oss iy Puree heals, Eh ohms 32, 33, 41, 
ECA aS WOU OTe Gs Lee cie lay eee rte diene 
Agelaius phoeniceus .......... A eG 548 
PAUR ASO IGA UN 2 Nea ine wat (ete mie easels oa at , 
Ammodramus savannarum perpallidus....... 
A TODE IS “COG TOM Wein eed, ck tan arene reese 22, 66 
Anas 
DOSCNSS Vi cisaee eae be ee ee ee rere eee 
CaTOIIMENSIE: Pa Oa. chm nn tt seen ere en eee 
PLO tala ch TyVSACLOS Mtr icy ite ie ens urea ne eee 
Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis.......... 
PAOLO. AW PSOTLIATV IES greta, here tee nen GPRS Wa aoe 
Asi Nal gz. sabe Feval eat ce: Wi ES hha aay ae tideuly oF Mia yea 0 
Bigtern.American (2 AS yo, rasan gic 
Blackbird 
TO WEI Sl cutie wars bis es aa hee ee Reet Pepe 59, 
Riedewingeds vat ca thee esses we en eee ae 
Bluebirds MLouytain avec eee oe eee nee 
BODOG pr tevaa erat oe er Rr Ps SSRI i ag el Gla 58, 
BO DSWOLDO eee ee a nan east we eee ee Wr ee RA | 
Bonasa tumbellus umbelloides ............... 
Botaurns lentiginosus, 7. ..js. 6% n ae 
Branta canadensis ....... aR MTR PO LR ie Poet 
Bubo -yirginianus subarciacus 2.02. es . 
Diitie-leads (cae ahd oe comcast Monee cae re amen 
Bunting 
aval leven y leet et Mev re a5, aa ey oe pias 24 
See A FIR Oi ere gre Nay IA Me 2 TAA sia i lea Lee 7, 24, 
Biteo. borealis walurisc Gore ve Va eee 
Calida warenaria (asian eh veg. Whur see re ciate 
Cav nOGaOUS WCREGINI co a vlead sanmll co ate oe 
CUCU Pare oes pike oot Seen we ac cee PEE GE es sce MR eye i iat 
Deon loens spilea tus. jee .uersgu Se ie oan a 51, 
Vertiia damilians wmontana. .0.> jek see ae 
Very le 7alevOnrge cou eet coie ae eee she rene cate 
Charionetta albeola ....... AEA ene Mia SO gh 
Chat, lone-sailen at cen tam sane A a Marae 70, 


Page 

Chelidon erythrogastra ........ MLE Eta 66 
Chickadee 

AC UAE CRE ONS et a «yD, Coeze less Vingse va, Shea 34, 72 

WEOMIMAIIG ce. want Peep oc ary eee CES mare V2 
Chordeiles: virginianus henryi .............. RS, ao ae 
Cinclus mexicanus ........ ae aie NERA para 33, 70, 71 
ESTERS, UOWHEG SIA a TH) Clee i arr ue ge evi) Se i aU oe ar eri 45 
PEE Ie Cleat Ol tums pedtonrer sa: ftleeeeroastehd 8 tb o/s 66 
Coccothraustes oeperuine POULUATIIGS phy sua: 60, 61 
Coceyaus <erythrophinalnig i. 04.1% 5 lakes - 29, 30 
Golapres caler)e.e 52. os. ess Ne sie asa ar 53 
OTIS VAT OU ta Ns folic os ataye Whe Aa as 43 
Colymbus nigricollis californicus ............ 37 
Contopus 

|i ASRS Ie owe ears eae pera La Pilea eras Bd 

PACH ALCS ON Litre ed aseal at Ga eed, Wha aus snes os bd, 56 
Corvus 

PURKUE RCE ALU MM OR A ALUN coche oe ug gies Cal 58 

UTA UN UTES TNS Gs ot ieee ae OL a eet SY peleate: 
MeN CMOS ORR Parg hs ciieyes ee Sy hal gies ie Rha wk 18, 59 
Race rer LOCUM NOUN ie, fad baths 3 «44 rene Doss 72 
Chess or lea A MOTICaT ae slug yp akss cis, & ote s fococp's De cee OUR Gd. 
POW NTIGLICANY Net yy aly oie vhnswie ible wae Ra’ 5a. o8 
APU Oars AO SOTLET gir. et yee a gts. fie ae Ee ome 29, 30 
Gr ere benea ter POC yy sce lacs a ieus-p pie.d © op 06 = 42 
Cyanocitta stelleri annectens’..............-. 30, 57 
rad LEMS CULLAER MRED RRD Dl ass eae eed as 39 
Dendragapus 

caine | becaae cee Petcare dete ya Sun eye 44 

PeCU Res MICH APOAGOMIE wae cs oace so ce eee ied eon 3+ 43, 44 
Dendroica 

OSL EV am red et oe Pair ss eG Lara pone U7a6o 

STS A ICOSE TR gg esa Car as EPA AO ae ae NE ee 15, 68 

eS NUIE CNG) Pun ose hate Gene OES RS, os TAP a Se ig” Hawi sg 69 
er mee Or Oia arcws We cada Fas ee cea Dee gout Used 
PTI CHON MN OT MIVOIU Gey sa eic ist cia h cca hace e 58 
Veh fem, et Ga Wa tn ee Ma Re Mia ae Pane A5 
Dryobates 

PALNGSGETIA OFCOCCUSE ld tg ue sia anaes Weis in is 50 

PRL A ILA UTR VEOSCODIGs on eta stievera din nce Atlee ts 50 
IEEE VOOM E fate ans) Atel PF tistava sd sca mee tat 39 
Eagle 


EC | ONE ANE Sg a an epee are 46, 4 


GPOLden mS as erg cee Perle eames ee eee 
Empidonax 

iit NDE T Poe meme g ea RD Bite SOW ta eS Ye ae ye Ag Opi a 

WES EL ae ot aia ts ee ere oe eee eee 
Falco sparverius deserticolus ..........2..4.4 
Bineh.-Gagsinis Purple: otis, sire. vce ee 
Flicker 

Golden-shafted. Hrratwm: read Red-shafted. 

Red shatted Mor secon ee eee ee ieee eens 
Flycatcher 

Rive Bi Od So hav tee esrb ty auc tete ast ta Ca uamaeann ee 

Eagle aS Ose ee ER Ea ER ENE EEE 6, 26, 54, 

WiPro ats: yan ois ak Bee a ana eints beeen eter 6,320, 
Galeoscoptes;carclinensig: eae ren, 
Gallinago belied tases. tact emer cer ce rcceh remeber 
Geothlypis 

macoillivia yi asec ee ker ee bile ee 14, 

LPT CWS OCCLOGCTILANIG pe met ond cte fila Ate haere tke 
Glaucionetta clangula americana ........... 36, 
Golden-6ye,. American 057.00 tie. raeeeastints ne tdons ey Sole 
Goldiingh American”... sak bis sees ae ete pee 
GooseseCanmatlarn is: Aiea conewr otk oe eae caret 
Grebe 

AMELICal -ared os yer ane heen et eee 

Paede billed ox. eee PRR DAE 3 
Grosbeak 

‘Biack-headedisi ce eee. ecu ee ee eres eres 6, 24, 25, 

Rose-breasted? siesta tek wee te ee 24, 

Western ivening <<).77. oe uss e fees ee 6, 16, 60, 
Grouse 

Columbian 2eherp-tailedic a ce cde ee eee 

Lip 20a ¢ Wald Weave RR aCIKIE RON Ia ag Rav Air cl a9 

Gray Rifled 525) ci. ances ae ay See eee 4, 

RiGh arason wae c ate mat Re enn ee ASAT « 
Gull 

Ran ol Led trrcy ghetto auroras ar raed hie nen ee 

WNIGSTOTM Hols ctime car ahs cain Gh aur eat iat ae ee atpn ee 
Habiaemelanocena glass <tcstc a sae ee ene 
Halisetusleucorephalis 246.544). «2s see 
Hawk 

American Rough-legged ...............06. 

VJ O8ert Oy PE Eno Wee neces es ea ane eae 

OO PEL Hes Bina eee id lesa sida oc ah taal och dt a 


64, 


31, 
AB, 


Page 

IETRSITOS MCU AB Es JAN oe ER letra a ee re 45 

SEE ASS SITET? ies Sa ag IN, Sea i Oe aie 30, 31, 45 
Hummingbird 

aH Dem anmis teen eerie seer ise ete mA 7, 54 

Bice se THITEES 9 2 a fir ce, a pe ean aaa Pare 7, 86, 54 
Teteria, virens longicatida® v2.0. e.. ee ek ee phipeie gs. 
» PICT ISSO SUINRTEN a Vee OER AS ni A lee 59 
Jay 

mele CAO te waster tS er Mae ate ols siet eos ao yt 4, 35, 57 

ERGeOMme ROM INGATE ea tics Ra ace copie rks 4, BY 
UR CCeR PU OM REge tM tu CR TS Tee Oy cor. Oo 
are tamerrst ete oie bc hc casita dor ak ROWS: chs, 42 
StL rete ere coe eh 7, 22, 28, 36, 52, 54, 55 

gS AS ICT IDET oo de ie ei a er Sr ie pe i er tote 36, 55 
POS OPA OL CU cies Cte ae heats, Gt 49 
Kingtet 

(ROlg Orricr O WIN ters 2 oe le thi des tee cal tca ba i> 73 

LES UW ETO) An (od UPR pli a ce Waa eS ae ead Pun 73 
Lark 

PACEOrL ALLOINGty weer ines unt cata hee ea. 55 

Om BLO LCM tamer ate et etn gs hk ws cos 57 
Larus 

Cosy ON GLLGIR aM ne Pe mail eu otrs tele se vw gat 38 

CECH GIT A omer erie atu ee AC ee hs Wel so on 38, 75 
EO renee eek at terete ahy ei aiee wale 37 

PVG nT On Ge era eres re hs akg am we ee 38 
Ppinrociomborer Guleu lads sete. GAM fail ho 38 
Mex awl Ort rae NOT we Leo wrg weet e 8 60 
ire A IMONICH eM iiss celina) toyics ws Aly aaa ee 55, 57 
DUES Ce Oy cy es a 1s i ce a 39 
REE One lark W\WCSUCTIN: \ <.cr coer ss che eee wbte es 6, 59 
Megascops asio maxwelliae ................6. 48 
Moelamerpes LOrgUAtUuSMeie iat tht ctw tee ne es 52 
Melospiza 

Pate ava OU GANA Mt whee ate. tye aes Sk NG te ls 63 

POCCOLATS Not Tea emie eta res Gains: so earar rite (nh 8 64, 75 

RECOM et eae tee oe WAS ON eet, 6-4 
MEE CARROT AMERICANUS Oss ci ete act a ee 38 
miopraneer,OATIOTICRIT (i. cattle sare Mine ton as 38, 39 

USE WNT SER AE Beast iii vent atl Pane aa Me AE 38 
Merula migratoria propinqua ............... 9, 23, 74 
UV TRESS CE, Wo MSA ae A Ave rs toa gr @ Pen 59 
Dyacestes TOwnsendit | h03 i's ileal Noelle "3 


Page 

Nighthawk, Western ............ SRR eyecare 28, 53 
Nucilraga feo int bia na ig see eee ee ees 58 
Naumenius ongrostites | Gc yee enone ee 42 
Nuteracker, Clarkeaitcy, si eis seh ie eae nee 4, 58 
Nuthatch 

Redabreasted.. u.io: cs es oe tek meena cee eee ee 72 

Slendersbilled, eis 2k Shiu. cere een a tae 72 
OnioleeBuihociss suse uce son gee cleke emer smee 59 
OSOre ye LMericaly <a. gieadne eerie see 7, 30, 47, 48, 60 
Otocoris alpestrre: arenicola (10.5 cere eee 56 
ion PEPCSLPIN LeUCOlAe MAN ST oo mea alent fete 57 
Owl 

America nsbono- eared ve iar tae fia iisGe eccrine, 48 

Rocky Mountam Sereect. oye een ean 48 

WGSh@TITRELOITIGG alc yy oier ORNS bee la ens eappee aw 8, 48 
Pandion haliaetus carolinensis ............-. AY 
Parus 

atricapillus septentrionalis ............... 72 

Cambell cae ce tee eee eee 72 
Passerella iliaea, schistaceay.c. . Sab ue meee wae 64 
Passerina amvena. 3. pu cn peat aee erence 24, 65 
Pediocaetes phasianellus columbianus........ 44 
Perisoreus canadensis capitalis .... 752. .5.5.- oO” 
Petrochelidon: Innitrons (ean see ee es 66 
Pewee, Western Wood 2.2.5 sss, 06 sees (RS © 
Phalarone;: Northern = iri lee: .ee ere eee 41 
Phalaropus: lobatus 00 vane Gone a eee ee pee 41 
Pica nica sh ude onic. tag Crteires ease rere ee Pere 5Y 
Picoides 

EUICLC US heads i Gls eon ety ae orci net teres Caron 50 

AMCTICANUS GOPELLIS cue ence sul ore ne nee 59 
jGAN EY) | Roem ety SNP ROMO paTy ou en Ahm atn SL aed Lela Ans 39 
Piolo MaACulatusvarchicua tic. eye tee Minas oye 64 
Piranea AUCOViCINS ute Cie mae Bees it Me Eee igh 28, 65 
Podilemibus so0dise ganas trceeires a uigemeiatc nes 37 
Pootactes OTaMINEUS: CONLMNIG Measure cewek 62 
POrtiar carolina ciees ce, Uae nore eee ea ale A() 
Ravenel Mericady.tes te «aleios wae eee Sees Date Ou aoe 
Reueiart, GVIMerGAN oh. ts eater ene ere Ge. ei ey 
Redetail 1 Wesbern 72), we aie aes sea ne eee 46 
Regulus 

AOAGS AGRIC ea MANN Go Oe es ge 


SALTS koe 1 7oe Gin W joe Wig aie eat Crane eins ne RR 73 


HECLULIV AR) COLOT HM ete ais 2h 9, 23, 53, 65, 
Salpinctes obsoletus 
Sanderling 
Sandpiper 
LEY SRD Sbo on AOU deeelaet neh Ras oleae et ee ee 
Bartramian 
SYIEL EDS HOR CSR By lang ane Mae Mae a ar ee a 
URE MeL G DT eS ne el ce a ake gr ne a rea LES SO Bye 
Pa OSUCK EC MmRCGlTADC merch (0. Sle ys cadd'a. che 
Scolecophagus cyanocephalus ............... 
BIIPYTOLNVeR HEY PHVARVISS (eo) gate ear mrs Sepa eae 
pre GU Ue toe idan aes teh ayy. OP us ieee 13, 14, 
PLU LChICO eee eres eaten Pt a, ess oy teal 
eHEA SUR Bi 712 cg die ota trai a ata 7, 8, 15, 47, 60, 61, 
Sitta 
SWAP TA RSIS GG ree ia eae ne eR ta, 
CRTOMMNEMSIS POULCATR MCC stasis lens, 2k cow coo cae 
Baie seViLSO ls ree otra pity ae rec ioY e a oui hoa 
Bolte LOW Sen deren y mire y) cake n ura atarei ceeds 
SA AGS bat ag yl etn a Oe a eR a; 
Sparrow 
POSILG LUl Gtnrarreyerns Mama tla tee, ol Poi aks at 
REUTERS ULM LIC mmtater stale ale dirip. sitar es thatthe 2. 6, 
SILER CORT Cen meme ia ta Gico tgs te state noolg! 
pia CEN Varo eee sete Wee Rie oi, als ital’, v4 oo 
Vlog sh veriaeh (CU Tay erbal tay sea cse cn eaten Tieton trereat PASSAT 
WASLOITI GTASBERODDOR I: saj2 505 es 6 wee lane oss 
VWeSEOr Ty CS TCTM ae ete te taken at tale eg «dees sae 
mpltyrapicus varius nuchalis'). 4. ..0..0.. 5. 
PUEREMELCS URE Lee SSL vale Gt up ria ear aan nga ae 
PDIZelaCBOCLAIISN ALIZONAG cena eo crice a save gee < os 
SCM ame iO olecwemsemr merece etter ec 
perm OPOLeL ign neta AC, a arene oto 
RVeM A Magna NeOlECtR sic). cot cuss sees + 
Swallow 
oan Rae oe edt ep eee Mie 5 a A eke 


O81 MO O18: 7.6 6) we 8)'0) a 6 8h & 18 OO Or 6 we 


o 0) Seale “s) 6:8) Oe 6, “6; (0, 60) 0) 06 6) we. (ele e €. ee 


Sere IIT CV etme eer ee Se Sea eta ait 
Bere aTitan vist diel GS arenes ee ee oh erie ata eets 
AormeNeLAn DICOLOT mae oz uw iiereiers ele aay 22, 
aM aarp GIA Ais etree a cives's sa sare ob re 


23, 


34, 
23, 
23, 


oH Page 

eal aGabeenaw iced Stennett eee 39 
Wern, SHorsterg ben ants or tee ee eee 38 
Thrush 

Olive:backed eae 6510, 1119205522, 530 one 

Willdwiicc as Vesa ce hee mee amend 6, 13, 14 Bo ae 
Totanus 

HAVIDeR Dee eles oT ec een CRN eae eee 41 

MCIATLOLEUCUB Wow ae cee ais ee ee eae ene 41 

SOUT ATT US bn pe 6 te tr Oe Ree 3 anne Se a 42 
SL OWLGO, SA TCLIC 2: Qe erry ne otc eine ace ee 64 
TTS a Tar diieest sisi eae Lae acaeh Gh ete ee ane 41 
Troglodytes 

HeON PATLCCUB Laeger ke Ngee Onn tae eae gpl 

TVA TS EA Bett, UNA Ree eet al ane eee ree 
Turdus 

LUSEESCCNARCAIICICOINS Mae te rane ee ee 12; 14, 33, 7%3 

VESEULATUS BS WOINGON mater ett cn ee eee eee 10, 19 Soe 
Tyrannus 

VBR TRORCAUE Rite ONO RDA A tues. Geary whale rand 22, 28, 36, Sot 

VELUICH ITO pe Mie een Le eae teen ee Ror eae 36, Do 
Urinator 

AVS 5) at eR RE DUANE arch Minin) itn icmathc At, 37 

Trini Go phy BO el, eterna eee ean een 38 
Vireo 

CUEVAISS Sacra ace ate Phil ee eee ome ee 19, 68 

OLVACOUS Bic. creer onthe: veh yk ne eee ee 20, 21, 67 

Hedseved Wie ey catia ae ee eee eee 6; 20,021,460 eee 

Wearolinig (cin Ieereiace haere ten eat ten tee 6, 19.20, 2) sso 
Warbler 

NUCL DOUIS 2 ects end cate oO ee a Y, LD, LT bose08 

IM acoillivray soi tier acdsee 2 ere eo ee 7, 14, 34,69 

PO Wnsend's 9 teh ete: Lote cee eek whee erate 69 

Wilsoriis (rate) ea teroe i cm tasers tecnea ono iad 34, 70 

PY GLOW iain Aue Stee tn cee arte et eae aie! eee 6, 17, 27,008 
IW ecw AC OULAT anne ae, LA ete a etiens one ome 4, 22, 66, 67, Tt 
Woodpecker 

Alpine -bhree-t0ed sieGta hie Set screen cee f D0 .gom 

Archie In ree-F0Rd 2 ie cee ern tenets a eee 7 oO 

Batohiel Gers ae eke eee oat pee ae RoenOU aon 

Cab anise win. siitie eee sacttne cet eee eae 50, oi. 

THE WAR'S oy Un cask Bese oe we hace cheno eee nee ee ee 7, 92, 53 
PP TMCATEU: fa che tra cae aici at ee To tt oe 


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Wren | 
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. Series No. 


Biol 


Univ. of Mont., 


Bul. 


and the Upper End of Flathead Lake: 


at the Biological Station 


| ge RAR 


OF THE FA Ra 


, =. : ee we 5 ae f ae ar - <i 
PHA ERS ¢0 AG eat eee 
fel r ; pad 

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Plate'll. 


Bul. Univ. of Mont., Biol. Series No. 1. 


Swan River, at the Biological Station, Showing characteristic Forest of the Region. 


isa; h 
et 


Pa 
i a 


Bul. Univ. of Mont., Biol. Series No. 1. 


‘YSNIU YT, PayoVq-9aAl[O JO sdsqy pue JsoN 


Plate III. 


Bul. Univ. of Mont., Biol. Series No. J. Plate LV. 


Fie. 1. Nest and Eggs of Wright’s Flycatcher, Zmpidonax wrightii 
Baird. Compare with Plate VII and XVI. 


Fie. 2. Nest and Eggs of American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla L. 


ae 


' ; m 
¢ J me ros ae y 
ae - s 7 ff 7 at 3 7 


a 2S otaey ew OL) SS Re re 


Mt . f arte "PhS ree = 9 
if 
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ary 
. 
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h 
ft 
f 
i 
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e 
- of 
Z 
i 
t : 
Ms Fe 
s as 
i om Ls 


Plate V. 


Bul. Univ. of Mont., Biol. Series No. 1. 


Nest and Eggs of Cedar Waxwing, 


Ampelis cedror 


- 


um Vieill 


Bul. Univ. of Mont., Biol. Series No. 1. Plate VI. 


Nest and Egg of Black-headed Grosbeak, Habia melanocephala Swains. 


-Bul. Univ. Mont., Biol. Series No. 1. Plate VII 


Nest and Eggs of Wright’s Flycatcher, Hmpidonax wrightii. Com- 
pare with Plate IV, Fig. 1, and Plate X VI. 


ee 
- Seo sie. - ben a Bete 
as we) cane ey. « ua 


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, ry cA e ae 


Bul. Univ. of Mont., Biol. Series No. 1, Plate VIII. 


Fig. 1. Fig. 2, 


Fig. 1. Osprey Nest on the Bank of Swan River, opposite the Biological Sta- 
tion. Taken with wide angled Lens, orthochromatic Plate. 


Fig. 2. Same Nest as Fig. 1, taken from the same Place and at the same Time, 
with telephoto Lens, magnification eight Diameters. 


Plate IX. 


Bul. Univ. of Mont., Biol. Series No. 1. 


Nest and Eggs of Black-headed Grosbeak, Habia melanocephala Swains. 
Plate VI. 


Compare: with 


: ! ’ ; % i 1 
ow J 1 she i a i oD : 
= . ‘ : ™ et 
oo Aa We trey 1 
7 ¥. ay as 
’ : ts aD ie bs 
} 6 1 r¢ , 
e * F 
r My ; Wa , 1 | 
iM 
i- 
| 
' j 


LIBRARY 
OF THE ) 
ACW BS Woes am eT LU gh) oe 


dan et Witty 


i P 


Bul. Univ. of Mont., Biol. Series No. 1. Plate X. 


Nest and Eggs of Lazuli Bunting, Passerina amoena Say. 


Bul. Univ. of Mont., Biol. Series No. 1. Plate XI. 


Nest and full Complement of Eggs of Red-eved Vireo, Vireo oliva- 
ceus L. From Photograph with Orthochromatic Plate and Ray 
Filter. 


vi i 
a) 
: 
4 
er 
rs 
= 
- 
a 
“ , 
ba - 
a 
b 
: 
* 
~ 
- 
‘ 
= 
‘ 


: : : lea J 

Darn a ae: : 

he ue eee 

Tie | i) + Wo) Ghd Waar 
1) 


A « 


eee’ 


Bul. Univ. of Mont., Biol. Series No. 1. Plate XII. 


Nest and Eggs of Warbling Vireo, /ireo gilvus Vieill. 


Bul. Univ. of Mont., Biol. Series No. 1. Plate X11 1. 


Nest and Eggs of Andubon’s Warbler, Dendroica auduboni 'Towns. 
From Photograph made at the University of Montana Biological Sta- 
tion, with Orthochromatic Plate and Ray Filter. 


Plate XIV. 


Bul. Univ. of Mont., Biol. Series No. 1. 


Eggs of the Spotted Sandpiper, Actitis macularia Linn., in 
modelled after a Nest found on the Beach. 


an artificial Nest of Sand, 


088 graeme gm 1 


ay Amo 


Bul. Univ. of Mont., Biol. Series No. 1. Plate XV. 


Nest and Eggs of Yellow Warbler, Vendroica aestiva Gmel. From 
Photograph made at the University of Montana Biological Station. 


ing 


4 


hi 


LIBRARY 
(OF THE. 
CN 1 Shieh. 


wate es ~ Smee 
2 i 
t by ny 
o. 
i 
~ 7» 
al Es 
aye ; F 
“han i 
: Pury. 
ve c 
re 
» AS. . tenes 
ft 4. 
- aan gy 
+ mete 
‘4 orn 
, 
- ¥ 
‘ * o* . 
‘ v £ 
a 
< Tad 
: , ie 
. 
‘ 
& : 
4 
é 4 ; 
. 
. 
* 
; - 
.: " 
’ é ‘ - 
e ‘2 
. = 7 
—_ @. oP. 2! 


‘ 


t 


ry ' 


Cs. a : 4 


| Bul. Univ. of Mont., Biol. Series No. 1. Plate XVI. 


Wright’s Flycatcher, Ampidonax wrightii. Top View, looking into the Nest. 
Compare with Plate IV, Fig. 1, and Plate VII. 


OT 


3 0112 072668 


